CALL FOR DISUSED PONTINS SITE TO BE TURNED INTO ECO PARADISE

Brand Strategy Guru, Simon Middleton, has revealed his vision for a major eco-tourism centre at Hemsby & Newport on the Norfolk coast which he believes would renew the fortunes of the seaside town.

Middleton, who will appear as an expert in an episode of The Great British Holiday Show for Virgin 1 with Duncan Bannatyne, thinks his vision for an eco-holiday centre is a flagship for sustainable tourism.

The so-called “Eden of the East” would be an 800 person holiday centre, located on the site of the former Pontin’s holiday park in the resort, which closed at the end of the 2008 season.

In his unique vision, Eco-tourists will be able to camp ‘outdoors’ on the coast of Norfolk in sub-tropical comfort at any time of year.

“This project would provide a fantastic base for a superb Norfolk holiday with a real difference,” said Middleton. “Hemsby itself has a magnificent sandy beach combined with a terrific characterful traditional resort. And the village is wonderfully close to everything The Broads national park and the rest of the county has to offer too.”

Based around two carbon-neutral sub-tropical domes: one for camping and one for recreational activities. The landscaped camping dome would accommodate around 200 campers, whilst there would be room for a further 600 visitors to stay in environmentally-designed lodges around the park.

“here have been domes before of course, most notably at Tim Smit’s wonderful Eden Project in Cornwall. But the difference with Hemsby is that the major dome would be in effect a very high quality all-year campsite – always warm, always dry, and very eco-friendly,” said Middleton.

A second dome would provide a dramatic environment for recreation and eco-themed activities.

The remainder of the site would offer a mix of outdoors activities like canoeing, rock-climbing, adventure play for children, and a large area devoted to learning skills related to sustainable living: from eco-friendly building techniques, to raising chickens, growing foods, understanding solar power, and art using recycled materials.

“This new vision is for a premium price holiday that’s massively relevant to our times and packed with interest and experience. Sustainable tourism is growing fast and this project could be a flagship for Norfolk, encouraging higher-spending visitors to the area,” said Middleton.