EXCLUSIVE By TOM JACKSON A LEISURE entrepreneur worth an estimated £98million has described a 150-acre estate in Fenland as the ideal launching pad for a nationwide programme of leisure homes. John Morphet s words come after he unveiled a £2.5million de

EXCLUSIVE

By TOM JACKSON

A LEISURE entrepreneur worth an estimated £98million has described a 150-acre estate in Fenland as "the ideal launching pad" for a nationwide programme of leisure homes.

John Morphet's words come after he unveiled a £2.5million development of holiday homes and a leisure centre at Tydd St Giles Golf and Country Club - the first of its kind in the country.

The expansion of the estate, bought by Mr Morphet's Pure Leisure Group in February, will create 25 jobs and attract local spending of several thousands of pounds every week.

Mr Morphet said: "Tydd St Giles has been identified as the ideal launching pad for a nationwide programme utilising Pure's modular housing for leisure use."

Pure has submitted a planning application to Fenland District Council, with a decision expected in the autumn.

Fifteen of the 25 jobs created will be in the proposed leisure centre, which will feature a high-tech gym, beauty therapy suites, a heated indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi and a restaurant.

Architect Martin Hall says the centre, which will be an extension of the existing club house, will offer facilities that are currently only available in Peterborough or King's Lynn.

Mr Morphet said: "Tydd St Giles has been identified as the ideal site for this development due to the scarcity of such high-quality leisure facilities in this part of Eastern England".

The 35 two-storey holiday homes will be energy efficient and eco-friendly and will be set "discreetly" around an ornamental lake.

Mr Morphet is ranked joint 845th on The Times' Rich List and made his fortune building timber lodges and opening caravan parks across the UK and Europe.

His Lancashire-based company currently owns 13 estates across Europe, as well as the world-renowned Royal Westmoreland estate in Barbados.