Unity Holidays has announced plans to expand its caravan park in East Yorkshire, proposing redevelopment of the Skirlington Market site near Skipsea to add new leisure facilities.
The company’s plans are expected to be submitted this week, according to CEO Dermot King, who confirmed that market traders have already been given notice to vacate the site.
Mr. King said the company had made efforts to assist the market in finding an alternative location. “We have researched and found alternative locations and spoken to the landlord of those,” he said.
The proposal includes developing new amenities such as a swimming pool, sun deck, and sports areas. According to King, these additions would enhance the holiday park’s appeal and make better use of the land, which he said is currently only used “36 days of the year” for the market.
However, the plan has drawn strong reactions from the local community. Thousands of people have reportedly signed a petition opposing the development, calling for Skirlington Market—which has been in operation for nearly 40 years—to remain.
Angela Parry, marketing director of the market, said relocation suggestions were “not realistic” and expressed concerns about the loss of a long-standing community hub.
“Skirlington Market has been thriving for 40 years and is open far more often than Mr King suggests,” she said. “It supports hundreds of small businesses and brings thousands of visitors to the area who spend in the wider local economy.”
Mr. King stated that Unity Holidays intends to work constructively with the market operators. “The landlord is willing to speak to the market operator, and we will naturally help with any of this if it’s reasonable to do so,” he said.
He added that the company’s redevelopment plans would benefit the wider community by generating local employment and providing shared access to amenities.
“Most employees at the expanded holiday park would come from local communities,” King told the BBC, adding that the park makes its facilities available to residents and schools free of charge when not in use by guests.
For operators across the outdoor hospitality sector, the situation highlights a recurring challenge—balancing the expansion of visitor accommodation with the interests of local stakeholders.
As holiday parks continue to evolve to meet guest expectations with upgraded amenities and year-round facilities, developers must navigate community concerns and land-use sensitivities that accompany growth projects of this scale.