PLANS to build a new railway station and more than 1,000 homes on the site of an apocalyptic bunker have been unveiled.
The proposals include building a range of affordable housing, shops, a secondary school, health centre and train station on the site of a former RAF base.
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The housing development at in Huntingdonshire will sit on top of a nuclear bunkerCredit: Alconbury WealdThe bunker is made of steel and reinforced concreteCredit: YouTube/Alconbury Weald
Part of a large housing development at Alconbury Weald inHuntingdonshire, the new community will sit on top of a sprawling nuclear bunker, built in 1988.
One purpose of the site was to secretly analyse data collected by spy planes during the Cold War.
Blast-proof guillotine doors divide a number of corridors inside, and further underground is a power plant and communications hub with an entire wall filled with buttons and dials.
Already 6,000 new build homes now surround the former military base and bunker after a major development which saw the first residents set up home in 2020.
The developer, Urban&Civic, now plan to expand the Cambridgeshire by building more houses and new railway station, which has been backed by Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Mike Jenner, Development Manager from Urban&Civic, said: “Phase 4 has an important role to play in the delivery of Alconbury Weald, connecting green spaces and key infrastructure.
“The design of Phase 4 ensures walking, cycling and public transport links connect to the wider site seamlessly, and supports the aspirations of our local transport partners to progress a rail station, which will benefit many.”
In homage to the area’s history dedicated green space has been named Runway Park, which the proposed plans include adding “pockets of play space near a water body” to.
The proposed plans include adding play space near a water bodyCredit: Urban&CivicOne purpose of the site was to secretly analyse data during the Cold WarCredit: YouTube/Alconbury Weald
Unity Holidays in Brean has been undergoing £10.2million expansion and refurbishmentCredit: Unity HolidaysIt’s recently updated it’s new pub, sports bar and pavilionCredit: Unity Holidays
In time for the summer holidays, will be a new lido surrounded by private cabanas and outdoor dining area.
The existing flumes and water rides will remain, and the outdoor pool is expected to open in July 2026.
Other plans included in the development are a trampoline park, bandstand, boardwalk, landscaped gardens and a dog agility area.
There will also be an outdoor activity centre where guests can have a go at archery, axe throwing and rifle shooting.
Unity Beach Resort Director Jonny Green said: “These are exciting times for our owners, our holidaymakers and the local community.
“Our improved pool facilities will help us sustain and grow participation in swimming lessons and recreational activity — not only for guests staying on the park, but also for the wider community across Somerset.”
The new outdoor facilities are part of the huge refurbishment of the site that has been underway throughout the winter months.
The site has been upgrading its soft play, changing rooms, the Wave Café and gym.
Other improvements have been to the 25-metre indoor pool and the addition of poolside showers.
A new indoor Splash Pad will replace the baby pool so that children of different ages can swim and play in the same space.
The unisex changing rooms have been upgraded with larger family cubicles – with space for up to four.
For accessibility, a new lift and pool hoist have been installed, as well as a refreshed accessible changing area.
The Wave Café has also been refurbished and will continue to serve meals throughout the day.
Visitors can enjoy sweet treats like cookies and donuts to breakfast options, sandwiches and paninis.
The site recently renovated its Wonky Donkey cafeCredit: unity holidays
At Unity Play, children can explore different soft play zones; Ocean World for under-4s, the main soft play area for ages 4 to 11, and Ninja Warrior zone for ages 7 to 11.
There is also a new reception area with a dedicated buggy park for families.
The refurbished indoor facilities are due to reopen shortly.
Previously, the site underwent a £15million upgrade with a new Wonky Donkey pub and restaurant, with a new pavilion, sports bar and arcade.
The Wonky Donkey serves up traditional pub food like mac n’ cheese and scampi and chips.
Inside the Pavilion Theatre, there’s plenty of family entertainment and shows as well as silent discos and movie sing-along challenges.
As well as the 2025 additions, the park is home to a theme park with 40 rides and attractions from rollercoasters to dodgems and a ghost train.
“Our eight-man Platinum lodge at Unity Beach in Somerset has a hot tub — and it comes complete with undisturbed views of Brean’s windswept coastline and a clear sky at night.
“Everything inside is sleek and stylish, with a statement electric fireplace in the centre and Scandi-style wooden furniture that makes the place look more like a fancy prize draw house than a holiday park lodge.
“I was staying there with my partner Bianca and two little ones, Frank, six, and Pearl, four. The lodges are really close to most of the activities and restaurants, too.
“These include the new Wonky Donkey, which serves brekkie and pub grub such as scampi, lasagne and burgers, and the Sports Cafe, where kids can play arcade favourites and cutting-edge VR games in between bites of pizza, while adults watch live sport on the large screens.
“There’s also the revamped Pavilion Theatre, where guests can tuck into wings, loaded fries and kid-sized lighter bites all while watching live game shows and tribute acts.
“The pre-booked 90-minute pool sessions were just enough for our two, although bigger kids, who can go on all the flumes, might want to stay longer.
“Despite tearing around the pool for an hour and a half, Frank and Pearl couldn’t wait to go straight to Brean Play indoor soft play afterwards.
“If one thing’s guaranteed to tire them out, it’s soft play. The area includes the Ninja Zone, with a challenging obstacle course for older kids, and a state-of-the-art ball court with an interactive screen that lets kids play all manner of games.”
