Theme park eyes 2020 opening after final approval

Theme park business Gulliver’s hopes to open a new multimillion-pound attraction in South Yorkshire by 2020, which could create up to 255 jobs, after the communities secretary decided not to call in the scheme.The company said its “most ambitious plans yet” would come to fruition now that Sajid Javid has agreed with Rotherham Council that the Rother Valley development can go-ahead.The project in South Yorkshire was granted planning permission by Rotherham Council last month.Councillors on Rotherham Council’s Planning Board voted unanimously to give the go-ahead for the theme park resort to be built on the 250 acre former Pithouse West colliery site in the Rother Valley.As the business’s fourth UK theme park project, Gulliver’s Valley will bring together the best elements of their existing parks in Warrington, Matlock Bath and Milton Keynes.Gulliver’s aims to open the first phase of Valley Resort in 2020 which will include a main theme park hub, with rides and attractions aimed at children aged two to 13 and their families.Gulliver’s Valley will also include an indoor water play zone, a climbing centre, a glades attraction, and an education and ecology centre encompassing forest classrooms and outdoor learning adventures for young children.Cllr Denise Lelliott, Rotherham Council’s mabinet member for jobs and the local economy, said the latest development was ‘great news’ and paved the way for the development to go-ahead.The resort will also offer family-friendly accommodation in the shape of glamping, self-catering woodland lodges and the central Lilliput Castle Hotel.Gully’s Dream Village, a community where children with life threatening illnesses can be given the chance to enjoy cost-free respite, will also be incorporated.In addition, nature trails, walks, outdoor gyms and woodland runs at Gulliver’s Valley will be available to be used by the local community as well as visitors to the theme park.Now that planning permission has been given, work will commence on the Pithouse West site.