People say they are “seriously excited” about the possibility of a new £75million surf lagoon, leisure beach and four star hotel opening in Southport.
The new Southport Cove attraction would be built on Princes Park in Southport, on land next to Ocean Plaza.
Owners Tony Howard and Tamlyn Stone have submitted a pre-application to Sefton Council, saying their scheme will bring “health and wellbeing coupled with active fun, all year round”. It will be followed by a full planning application in due course.
Local residents have been giving their reaction to the Southport Cove proposals on Stand Up For Southport.
Nathanael Dannenburg said: “Would love this to go ahead! The surf lagoon would attract so many people throughout the year (you’ll have to wear a wetsuit in the summer so why not a thicker one in the winter?), seriously excited by this.”
Heather Jones said: “When we first moved here Ocean Plaza was being built, it was a great asset to the town. Now this proposal would be amazing.
“We love our adopted home and anything that can make changes to people’s lives and bring in revenue gets a huge thumbs up from me.”
Sarah-Louise Robson said: “Fantastic for the town… We knew moving here was a good move!”
Angela Rose Kissack said: “This would be so amazing.
“If this happens it will really put southport on the map. I fully support this in every way possible.”
Trev Wells said: “This will be absolutely fantastic!”
Tony Wynne said: “I originally questioned the viability of this project but now I think it’ll work.
“Surfers do surf all year round plus it’ll offer much needed quality hotel space… and go some way to weakening Britannia’s control on rooms.
“I’ll be in my mid-60s when it’s open so I might learn to surf myself!”
Peter Hampson said: “Great to see a major private sector investor coming forward with proposals for a major new attraction of regional if not national significance. The fact that they are already at the pre-application stage suggests they are serious about the proposals and the target date of 2025.”
An artist’s impression of how Southport Cove could look. Design by Leonard Design
Lee Durkin said: “Looks great, can’t wait to see it finished and with Pleasureland next to it, we will draw people from all over.”
Maria Jane Kenyon said: “Wow this story is so weird as we were only talking about this yesterday. It would be fantastic to have open air bathing back in Southport.”
Carol Coakley said: “If this happens, it will be an amazing opportunity for Southport and the regeneration of the town . Fingers crossed.”
Adrian Hearty said: “We need decent year round jobs and good attractions. This could bring both, and encourage other investment. Let’s hope it works out.”
There was some scepticism too. Southport welcomed 9.1million visitors in 2019, the last year before the Covid-19 pandemic, and current plans for Southport Cove, in addition to proposals for a new events centre and exciting investment at Southport Pleasureland, means the town will soon attract millions more people.
It led to concerts for Genna Beaumont, who said: “With all these new things to attract tourists pools etc but no kids hospital! In a seaside town! Go figure.”
Geoff Heyes had a suggestion for the scheme.
He said: “Just a thought…. Who is going to use it for the months September through May.
“Maybe the designers could look at a retractable roof for year round day and night time use.”
David Grice said: “This is the one proposal that I’ve seen that I cannot realistically see happen.
“But it would be nice as it is virtually where the old open pool used to be.”
But one resident believes the scheme will be superb for younger people in the region.
Jane Stuart McDonald said: “If this comes to fruition it will be amazing for growing generations.”
The owners of Southport Cove have submitted their pre-application to the local authority’s Planning Department announcing their ambition to transform Princes Park, the grassed area which sits surrounded by Ocean Plaza, Southport Beach, Southport Pleasureland and Marine Lake.
The new facility could be open as early as 2025.
Discussions will now take place between the developers and the council before a more detailed, full planning application is submitted.
Southport Cove co-founders Tony Howard and Tamlyn Stone said that the new attraction will bring “health and wellbeing coupled with active fun, all year round”.
Southport Cove would include:
- A ‘world class’ surf lagoon
- Four storey hotel
- A relaxing ‘thermal journey’ through pools of water, including steam rooms, saunas, Turkish baths, and a heated outdoor relaxation pool
- Healthy food offerings
The indoor and outdoor facilities would wrap around the south-facing lagoon to provide shelter from the sea winds, also echoing the amphitheatre shape of the former Southport Sea Bathing Lake which stood nearby until it was demolished in the 1990s.
The terrace and main public space would be above the height of Southport Sea Wall, and glass facades would offer panoramic views of the coastline in one direction, and of the lake and the lagoon in the other.
A team of experts working to progress the scheme include architects Leonard Design, construction consultants WWA and wave providers Whitewater West.
Tony Howard said: “If all agreements are in place, the resort could be open as soon as 2025.
“The waterfront has so much potential, but I believe it requires ambitious, modern-day attractions and experiences to appeal to a broader audience from all parts of the UK and perhaps beyond.”
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
Fabulous idea if it works out.. 😍👍👍
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