Alton Towers Resort have submitted plans for the second phase of their Enchanted Village accommodation which will see 35 double lodges, tipis, play areas and a new reception building added to the first phase of the development which opened in April last year (2015).
The proposed expansion will be located to the north of the existing Village on ground which is currently used as the ‘Village Green’ and overflow car parking at peak times and is currently planned to be constructed in three phases. The first of these (known as phase 2.1) will see the construction of 26 of the double lodges and the extension of the existing Crooked Spoon Restaurant along with the first part of a ‘service core’ which will provide facilities such as laundry, cleaning and other services required for the day to day operation of the accommodation. This first phase will also see some changes made to the existing car parking arrangements with what is currently known as ‘Car Park J’ re-lined to provide 254 spaces (6 of which will be accessible spaces). It is currently anticipated that this phase will commence construction in June 2018 for a March 2019 opening.
Phase 2.2 will consist of the addition of three large tipis which will form an entertainment area for guests with activities currently proposed from 4pm until 9:30pm. These will form part of the Village Centre to the south of the expansion site. Constructed of a fabric over a timber structure, the tipis will remain open on one side and will not be fully closed at any time. To support the addition of this entertainment space the ‘service core’ constructed as part of phase 2.1 will be extended to include toilets and form a small courtyard. Plans also indicate that this extension will offer a bar and snack facility facing out onto the courtyard towards the tipis. Current intentions are for construction of this phase to commence in March 2020.
The final phase of the expansion will see the construction of the remaining 9 double lodges and the addition of a new reception building to the north of the newly expanded site. This reception building will be designed to complement the existing fairytale theme with a similar appearance to the lodges currently in place. Once opened the existing reception area, located next to the Crooked Spoon Restaurant, would be converted to provide additional space within the main restaurant. Construction on this phase would begin in 2021.
As with the current Enchanted Village, the new lodges would be constructed in clusters around a central play area. In order to ensure that this latest expansion is in-keeping with the existing Village, all the lodges will be of similar design with an exterior decking area, timber and stonework finish, and quirky feature chimney.
These latest accommodation plans from the Resort follow on from plans submitted in August last year for an extension and new restaurant to be added to the existing Alton Towers Hotel, plans which would see a further 76 rooms added to the existing Hotel provision, alongside a 200 cover restaurant, new café and bar, and an entertainment stage. The plans for this extension were approved last November with construction set to commence in May this year. The proposals also form part of Alton Towers Resort’s long term strategy to attract more guests to the Resort for short breaks and encouraging multi-day stays.
What are your thoughts on these latest accommodation expansion plans from the Resort? Have your say on this and more over on the Attraction Source Forum. As the new 2016 season moves ever closer we’ll continue to keep you up to date with all the latest developments.
