04 January 2024 , 11:49
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A dad living at a repurposed Pontins holiday park says his kids love it and "wish they could live here all the time".
Pontins Brean Sands in Somerset closed to holidaymakers earlier this year to house up to 900 workers from the Hinkley Point C project. EDF is building two new nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point C, describing it as "the first in a new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK". It has a three-year lease with Britannia, the owners of the Pontins site, and will use it to home Hinkley Point C workers until it reverts to its original use in either 2026 and 2027.
Tommy Marshall, a manager for engineering firm BYLOR at Hinkley Point C, says that living at the Pontins site works well for his family. “I’ve been living here for six months, and it suits me because I can really make my chalet my own. My partner and six children, who live in Ireland, also come to stay with me regularly," he said. “The kids absolutely love it because there’s loads for them to do – like the beach, the amusement arcades and getting an ice-cream. They wish they could live here all the time.”
The existing holiday camp is made up of 600 chalets, a leisure complex, a swimming pool, shop, outdoor facilities including play areas, car parking and ancillary green areas in between the chalet buildings. Andrew Cockcroft, head of stakeholder relations at Hinkley Point C, told Bristol Live: "The cost of living crisis has hit tourism everywhere and Brean has been affected by uncertainty over the future of the holiday camp.
"Our £2m investment in the holiday park will give it a viable future and provides 83 year-round jobs in the community. Our workers will spend millions throughout the year, not just in the holiday peak season. Many businesses are thriving but where businesses are impacted, we are stepping in with marketing support and business grants. The community will also benefit from access the Hinkley Point C community fund which is already supporting local organisations and charities."
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The future of the popular seaside destination near Burnham-on-Sea, which faced complaints over the years about the hygiene of chalets and rundown facilities, has been uncertain for some time. EDF discussed taking over the site with the local community, councillors and business groups in Autumn 2022 before announcing it months later.
While the move has been controversial, including criticism from business group Discover Brean, EDF has invested £2 million into the site. Its investment has seen a massive refurbishment of the chalets including new kitchens, bathrooms, furniture, TVs, and new Wi-Fi access. The restaurant, bar and laundry areas have also been upgraded and a brand new gym installed. The park’s swimming pool is also being maintained and it remains open for community use.
EDF said its investment into the Brean holiday resort will leave it in a better condition for future holidaymakers and that its use of Pontins will bring year-around benefits to the local economy outside of the holiday season. More than 80 full-time year-round jobs have been created and workers will spend millions of pounds in the local area. Community groups can also access Hinkley Point C’s £20 million community fund – with groups in Berrow and Burnham already receiving over two hundred thousand pounds in grants.