A MAJOR overhaul of Weymouth's Waterside Holiday Park at Bowleaze Coveway has been given the go ahead.

The redesigned site will see the creation of a new restaurant seating area added to the park's fish and chip shop, as well as a multi-activity sports court with football goals, volleyball, outdoor table tennis and 'footpool' area.

New children's play areas are also to be added, featuring a sand pit with timber sharks and outdoor canopies, as well as and pergolas to provide much-needed shade during hot weather.

Planning permission was recently granted for the facelift, and Waterside said its immediate priority as part of the work was to create open space 'to allow social distancing during these difficult times'.

Dave Bennett, CEO of Waterside Holiday Group said: "We have worked closely with our architect and Natural England to help us sympathetically develop this important area of Waterside Holiday Park & Spa, and are delighted to have received the support of the local authority."

The plans include partly cladding the main building with timber to enhance the look and feel of the site - and guests will be able to relax in a newly-landscaped outdoor area, which includes a low-level water feature.

A new ice-cream hut is also planned at the site whilst people will be able to cool off under an outdoor shower shaped like a giant 'Havaianas' flip flop.

Mr Bennett underlined the park's commitment to being eco-friendly and said the park already uses solar power for some of its facilities.

"We will be creating a natural habitat area using native plants and species -all complemented with the use of sympathetic natural materials," he said.

"This is set to help support a new beach clean initiative, and will build on our current eco-friendly offering, with our Shack Bar currently using solar energy."

Mr Bennet said that Waterside is proud to be working with local contractors 'to develop our parks and help support our community'.

Waterside Holiday Group operates three parks in Dorset: the Waterside Holiday Park & Spa on Weymouth’s Bowleaze Cove, Chesil Vista on Portland Road, Weymouth, and Osmington, in Osmington Mills.

For more information visit www.watersideholidaygroup.co.uk