See inside new homes taking shape at former Pontins holiday park
Bruce Hart, a partner in Norwich firm the Paul Robinson Partnership whose architects are behind the new homes at The Pines. - Credit: Denise Bradley
It was once the bustling holiday heart of a seaside village, brimming with people enjoying a fortnight by the beach and the luxury of running water.
Work has been going on for some 16 months clearing the former Pontins site at Hemsby as more than 630 chalets are converted into modern homes.
Having been shut since 2008, the developer is ready to show off all that has been achieved at the former holiday hub famous for its knobbly knee contests and smiling bluecoats.
Project manager Steve McGrath said he was proud of what was being created at the leafy site where a mix of mainly two and three bedroomed homes would be finished off to a high standard.
Inside one of the refurbished chalets at the former Pontins in Hemsby. - Credit: Denise Bradley
He estimated it would be another two years until it was all finished, but was ready to launch a series of show homes so the public could see for themselves the community that was being created.
Work has involved knocking down one block of chalets and remodelling the rest.
A balcony feature at one of the remodelled chalets at the former Pontins in Hemsby. - Credit: Denise Bradley
Buyers can choose between a mix of models with balconies, open-plan living, and en-suite bathrooms among the options, with the average sale price around £225,000.
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They are also available under the Government's Help to Buy scheme .
Mr McGrath said the development was unique and possibly award-winning - the conversion chiming with sustainability targets for reusing materials and cutting the carbon footprint.
Balcony view from one of the newly refurbished chalets at the former Pontins site in Hemsby, The Pines. - Credit: Denise Bradley
Concrete floors meant they were well insulated and no corners had been cut with the final finishes, he said, adding it was a good feeling to have "made something out of something."
All the homes had been brought forward in line with the old metal balconies, looking out on communal green spaces as well as having their own enclosed gardens.
With some 60 workers on site most days, efforts are focussed on the residential south end.
Inside one of the en-suite bedrooms in a refurbished former holiday chalet at The Pines in Hemsby. - Credit: Denise Bradley
The north end near Beach Road is given over to second homes and 35 lodges costing around £190,000 all with fitted appliances.
Overall, the 22 acre site will host 276 homes, a convenience store, three small shop units, and a public pool and leisure centre.
Open plan living is a feature of some of the chalets at the former Pontins in Hemsby. - Credit: Denise Bradley
The hope is that 30 houses will be finished by the end of the year ready for the first people to move in in January.
History of the site
Pontins closed suddenly in 2008 with the loss of 55 jobs when owners Ocean Parcs pulled the plug after almost 80 years in the village.
The site was soon a source of frustration for locals and there were numerous fires, putting neighbouring homes at risk.
While there was a strong preference to keep it for holiday use the site struggled to interest an operator and planning permission was granted to clear the chalets to make way for homes.
Over the years it has been touted as perfect for an Eden of the East, where visitors would camp in biodomes, and as a veterans' village.
The current development re-uses the chalets and introduces new entrances off Kingsway.
Although cheaper than a total rebuild it has still cost tens of millions of pounds.
One of the designs includes an island kitchen at The Pines in Hemsby. The second home properties are the same as the residential ones. - Credit: Denise Bradley
Development director Tracey Pashley said interest had been strong from first time buyers and people relocating from across the country.
To register your interest contact selling agents Charles Bycroft.
Trees and open spaces are being retained as the refurbishment works gather pace at the former Pontins in Hemsby. - Credit: Denise Bradley
All the chalets have been stripped out ahead of conversion into high quality homes in Hemsby. - Credit: Denise Bradley
Old chalet blocks at the former Pontins in Hemsby ready to be remodelled into new homes. - Credit: Denise Bradley
The official launch of the new homes will take place in the next few weeks but interest is already said to be strong. - Credit: Denise Bradley
Bruce Hart, a partner in Norwich firm the Paul Robinson Partnership whose architects are behind the new homes at The Pines. - Credit: Denise Bradley
Bruce Hart of the Paul Robinson Partnership outside a chalet block waiting to be turned into stylish homes. - Credit: Denise Bradley
Bruce Hart of the Paul Robinson Partnership inside one of the quadrangles at the former Pontins holiday park in Hemsby. - Credit: Denise Bradley
Chalets which enjoyed a holiday heyday in the 1970s are being turned into homes, the first 30 of which could by occupied by January 2022. - Credit: Denise Bradley
Some 60 workers are on site most days at the former Pontins transforming the old chalets. - Credit: Denise Bradley
The old swimming pool will be retiled and open to the public, forming part of an extended leisure centre. - Credit: Denise Bradley
The swimming pool area is being retained as part of an improved leisure complex at The Pines, Hemsby. - Credit: Denise Bradley
Some 35 lodges are being added to the site and marketed as second homes. They will be bricked in and have outside seating areas. - Credit: Denise Bradley
Inside one of the lodges that will be arriving at the site fully furnished. - Credit: Denise Bradley
Built in bunk beds inside one of the lodges at The Pines in Hemsby. - Credit: Denise Bradley
The logo for the housing and holiday development The Pines in Hemsby, anchored by a tree which is such a feature of the site, said to have 'a parkland feel.' - Credit: Denise Bradley
