Unity Beach Holiday Park in Brean is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its recent history. The Somerset-based resort has announced ambitious expansion plans that will see substantial investment in new facilities and improved infrastructure. Here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening at this popular holiday destination.
The Dual Development Plans Taking Shape
Two major projects are reshaping the future of Unity Beach, formerly known as Holiday Resort Unity. The first involves expanding accommodation capacity through additional static caravan pitches, whilst the second represents a bold £10.2 million investment in water-based facilities. Together, these initiatives signal a committed approach to enhancing what the park offers both to holiday guests and local residents.
The estate, which spans an impressive 87 hectares across the Somerset coast, is already one of the largest holiday parks in the southwest of England. The proposed changes will solidify its position as a leading leisure destination in the region.
The Caravan Expansion: 85 New Static Bases
In August 2025, Unity Beach submitted preliminary expansion proposals to Somerset Council. The application seeks approval for installing up to 85 new hardstanding bases for static caravans across a four-hectare area. This parcel of land currently forms part of the park’s golf course facility.
The planning reference for this scheme is 06/25/00006. Interested residents and stakeholders can review the complete proposal via Somerset Council’s planning portal using this reference number. The submission represents an early-stage development proposal that requires an Environmental Impact Assessment screening opinion before progressing further.
According to planning agents Laister Planning, the expansion has been carefully considered to minimise environmental disruption. The company stated that “existing mature vegetation, including trees, will be retained wherever possible.” Whilst the site consists largely of grassland due to its current use as a golf course, the developers have committed to preserving the natural features that remain.
If approved, workers would remove minor golf-related infrastructure to make room for the new caravan layout. This shift reflects a broader industry trend across UK holiday parks, where operators are repurposing underutilised recreational amenities into revenue-generating accommodation assets.
The £10.2 Million Brean Splash Transformation
Simultaneously, Unity Beach is progressing with its most ambitious waterpark redevelopment yet. Plans submitted to Somerset Council reveal a comprehensive £10.2 million investment in expanding and upgrading Brean Splash, the resort’s swimming and leisure complex.
The proposed enhancements include two additional outdoor pool areas, a lido-style section, and an exciting new lazy river attraction. Developers have also committed to substantially improving changing facilities and creating a festival-style promenade that connects key attractions and entrances throughout the waterpark.
This investment follows closely on the heels of the £15 million transformation that saw the introduction of the new Wonky Donkey pub and restaurant, an enhanced pavilion, and a modern sports bar and arcade facility. These venues were officially opened in May 2025 by Alex Jones, presenter of BBC’s The One Show.
Timeline and Construction Plans
Should Somerset Council grant approval, construction work on Brean Splash is expected to commence during the winter months of 2025. The waterpark will temporarily close from Monday, December 1st, 2025 until approximately Sunday, March 1st, 2026, allowing teams to complete the extensive building works.
This timing has been strategically selected to minimise disruption to holiday guests. Winter represents the quieter season at UK holiday parks, when visitor numbers naturally decrease. However, the closure will temporarily affect local residents who regularly use the facility for swimming lessons and recreational activities.
Jonny Green, the resort’s director, acknowledged the inconvenience whilst emphasising the long-term benefits. He explained: “We recognise that this closure will cause inconvenience, particularly for those who rely on our facilities for swimming lessons and regular activities. Naturally, we apologise for this disruption, but these works are designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of Brean Splash and to provide a greatly enhanced facility for the local community and visitors alike.”
Green also highlighted how the investment connects to broader regional tourism development strategies. He stated: “Since Unity Holidays bought the business, we have always looked to improve and increase what we have to offer, which we hope attracts more people to the west coast of Somerset, thus bringing greater footfall not just in Brean but to towns like Weston-super-Mare and Burnham. It also allows us to offer jobs to local people and support local businesses.”
A Strategic Change of Ownership Driving Investment
These expansion plans emerged following a significant ownership transition. In October 2024, the House family, who had owned and operated the resort for generations, sold the business to Foundation Partners, a leading mid-market private equity firm with extensive leisure sector experience.
The House family’s stewardship had transformed the site from its origins as farmland in 1946 into the thriving holiday destination it represents today. Over four generations, the family invested heavily in developing facilities and expanding the resort’s appeal. Their decision to sell marked the end of an era whilst simultaneously opening new possibilities for growth under experienced leisure industry leadership.
Foundation Partners has demonstrated its commitment to transforming the asset through substantial capital investment. The £15 million spent on entertainment and dining facilities, combined with the planned £10.2 million waterpark investment and caravan expansion, signals confidence in the resort’s long-term potential within the UK holiday market.
Why This Investment Matters for Somerset Tourism
These developments represent more than simply adding new facilities. They reflect recognition of persistent challenges within the UK leisure sector, particularly regarding swimming pool accessibility. Swim England has raised concerns about the ongoing decline in public swimming pool availability across England. Approximately 500 public facilities have closed since 2010, limiting community access to essential water-based recreational amenities.
Phillip Brownlie from Swim England expressed optimism about Unity Beach’s plans, noting they could have a “very positive” impact on local swimming provision. He emphasised the importance of swimming as both a life skill and a recreational activity, highlighting that participation in Somerset has actually increased since 2017, with more children engaging in swimming lessons weekly compared to pre-pandemic levels.
The Brean Splash expansion therefore addresses a genuine community need whilst capitalising on growing holiday tourism demand. The facility welcomes both resort guests and local residents, with schools regularly utilising the indoor pool for swimming instruction programmes.
Employment and Economic Impact
Both expansion projects carry significant employment implications for the local area. The waterpark redevelopment will create construction jobs during the build phase, whilst the enlarged facility will require additional permanent operational staff once completed.
Similarly, the additional 85 static caravan pitches will expand the park’s accommodation capacity and employment base. Holiday parks typically require year-round staff for maintenance, customer service, hospitality, and administrative functions, with employment numbers increasing substantially during peak summer season.
This employment generation supports the broader Somerset economy beyond the immediate holiday park environment. Increased visitor numbers typically benefit local restaurants, shops, attractions, and service businesses throughout Brean, Weston-super-Mare, and Burnham-on-Sea.
The Wider Context of Holiday Park Development
United Kingdom holiday parks have experienced significant growth and investment in recent years. Operators recognise that consumers increasingly seek comprehensive resort experiences offering accommodation, entertainment, dining, and recreational facilities under a single location.
Unity Beach exemplifies this evolving market dynamic. The resort now offers over 1,500 caravan pitches across both touring and static options, more than 15 food and beverage outlets, two large entertainment venues, the expanded Brean Splash waterpark, Brean Play indoor soft play attraction, and the premium Brean Country Club featuring an 18-hole golf course, fine dining, wedding facilities, and luxury lodge accommodation.
The proposed caravan expansion and waterpark investment represent logical extensions of this multi-faceted offering, designed to appeal to diverse holiday preferences and extend the resort’s appeal across a broader demographic range.
Environmental Considerations and Sustainability
Environmental stewardship forms part of the development narrative. The previous House family ownership had established “Sustainability at Heart” as a company slogan, implementing recycling programmes, food waste initiatives, and energy efficiency measures across the resort.
Foundation Partners has maintained this commitment. The planning documentation for the caravan expansion emphasises the retention of mature vegetation and existing landscape features. Similarly, the Brean Splash redesign includes a contemporary landscape and pedestrian experience, suggesting integration of modern environmental design principles.
These considerations align with increasing consumer expectations regarding sustainable tourism practices. UK holiday makers increasingly evaluate businesses based on environmental credentials, making sustainability integration commercially prudent alongside ethical and practical justifications.
What Comes Next: Planning Approval Timeline
The caravan expansion requires formal Environmental Impact Assessment screening before full planning permission can proceed. This assessment determines whether a comprehensive EIA must accompany the application.
The Brean Splash waterpark proposals have progressed further along the planning process, with Somerset Council already in possession of detailed plans. Approval timelines for development projects typically extend across several months, with formal committee consideration following consultation periods.
Interested parties can engage with both proposals through Somerset Council’s planning portal. The council welcomes public comment during designated consultation periods, providing residents and stakeholders opportunity to express support or raise concerns regarding proposed developments.
Community Impact and Public Access
For local residents, the temporary Brean Splash closure presents temporary inconvenience for permanent benefit. The enhanced facility will offer significantly improved capacity and attraction range once completed, potentially increasing both leisure and educational swimming opportunities.
The additional accommodation capacity resulting from the caravan expansion supports increased holiday tourism, which benefits local businesses and employment prospects. However, some residents may have concerns regarding increased visitor numbers and associated traffic implications.
Unity Beach has proactively addressed these considerations through resort director commentary highlighting broader economic and employment benefits to the area.
The Broader UK Holiday Park Market
Unity Beach’s expansion plans reflect optimistic sentiment within the UK holiday park sector. Despite pandemic-related disruptions, many established parks have successfully recovered and now demonstrate growth ambitions.
The resort’s £15 million entertainment investment, combined with planned additional expenditure, positions the site competitively within the UK market. Premium facilities and entertainment experiences increasingly differentiate successful parks from competitors, making substantial facility investment essential for maintaining market position.
The location advantage along the Somerset coast provides natural appeal, with direct beach access and proximity to established attractions including Brean Down (National Trust property) and the England Coast Path. These geographical advantages complement the resort’s developed infrastructure.
Economic Significance for Brean and Burnham-on-Sea
Holiday resorts represent significant economic anchors for coastal communities. Brean and the neighbouring town of Burnham-on-Sea depend substantially on tourism revenue and employment generated by large parks like Unity Beach.
Expansion plans support sustained or increased tourist numbers, extending the season and encouraging higher-value visits through improved facilities. Economic multiplier effects extend throughout the local economy, with visitor spending supporting retailers, restaurants, hospitality businesses, and service providers.
Resort director Green explicitly referenced these broader economic benefits, noting the development “attracts more people to the west coast of Somerset, thus bringing greater footfall not just in Brean but to towns like Weston-super-Mare and Burnham.”
Looking Forward: The Future of Somerset Tourism
These expansion initiatives position Unity Beach as a leader within south-west UK holiday provision. The resort demonstrates capacity for substantial investment and willingness to evolve its offerings to maintain market competitiveness.
The transition from family ownership to professional leisure sector management, combined with access to significant capital, suggests additional development phases may follow. Foundation Partners’ involvement signals long-term commitment to establishing the asset as a premier UK holiday destination.
For visitors, these developments promise enhanced experiences through expanded accommodation options, improved waterpark facilities, and strengthened entertainment and dining provisions. For local residents and employees, the investments suggest sustained employment opportunities and broader community economic benefits.
The dual expansion projects represent significant voting of confidence in Somerset’s appeal as a holiday destination and the leisure industry’s continued importance to the regional economy.
FAQs About Brean Holiday Park Expansion Plans
Q: When will the caravan expansion project commence?
The expansion plans remain subject to Somerset Council planning approval, including Environmental Impact Assessment screening. Construction timelines will be confirmed once formal permission is granted, with potential commencement during 2026.
Q: Will local residents lose golf course access permanently?
The development utilises four hectares of golf course land currently comprising the course. Local residents should check with the park regarding continued golf facility availability, as this depends on post-development land configuration and management decisions by the resort operators.
Q: What is the planning reference for the caravan expansion?
The planning reference for the 85-static caravan expansion is 06/25/00006. Residents can view detailed proposals and submit comments via Somerset Council’s planning portal using this reference number.
Q: How long will Brean Splash be closed during the redevelopment?
The waterpark will close from December 1st, 2025 until approximately March 1st, 2026, with construction ongoing throughout this three-month period. Reopening is scheduled for spring 2026.
Q: Will the expansion increase employment opportunities at the resort?
Yes, the expansion projects will create both temporary construction employment and additional permanent positions across accommodation management, waterpark operations, and support services once completed.
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