A Hemsby holiday park wants to go ahead with a £1m-plus expansion as it adapts to changing holiday trends.Bigger static caravans in low-density groupings may be the future for the Sundowner park in Newport Road.

A Hemsby holiday park wants to go ahead with a £1m-plus expansion as it adapts to changing holiday trends.

Bigger static caravans in low-density groupings may be the future for the Sundowner park in Newport Road.

A 150-van scheme has been submitted to Great Yarmouth Borough Council by site owners Ian Gillett and Paul Cross, who say that 1960s-built chalets are still popular but that more people want the luxury and flexible ownership options of caravans.

The development would sweep away an unprofitable pitch-and-putt course, adding another 15 acres to the seaside complex.

Mr Gillett said the significant investment proposed included groundwork and hardstandings costing around £6,000 a plot. He said the scheme aimed to provide accommodation only for visitors over an eight-month season who preferred to go off site for facilities and entertainment.

If councillors approve the exten-sion, the site, which already has 400 chalets and 150 caravans, would swell to 54 acres. “It's a natural progression,” said Mr Gillett, “We have been here long enough to know what the market requires.

“When these sites were developed in the 1960s people used to come here by coach and stay on site for the whole time, but now everyone wants to go out all the time. We want to provide accommodation. People then use the local facilities and benefit everyone else.

“We are a family-orientated park without any clubs or noise. We are not just bringing people in to keep them in our park and spend money with us.”

The application will be considered by the council in due course.