Leisure and retail specialist Holder Mathias has been granted permission by the Republic of Ireland’s planning authority for the construction of the first Center Parcs scheme outside of the UK.

The proposal for a 160ha site in County Longford was approved by An Bord Pleanala for a village that can house up to 2,500 guests with 470 lodges and 30 apartments built in natural surroundings.

Holder Mathias partner, Peter Gamble, said that Center Parcs is a much loved holiday destination and the company is pleased to be part of the design team for the first ever village of its kind in Ireland.

Gamble added: “The design of the centre buildings responds to the unique setting of Longford Forest offering a wide range of activities, including the Subtropical Swimming Paradise, which will create unforgettable experiences for many families.”

Also included in the project team are Peter Brett Associates, Larnaca, Jackson Design and NTR Planning, along with Irish partners EIS and ORS.

The site masterplan includes a 3.2ha lake and a network of footpaths and cycle tracks.

Holder Mathias was the architect behind the plan and was the lead designer behind the last completed Center Parcs in Woburn Forest.

Earlier in the month, it was revealed that revenues are continuing to soar at Center Parcs, up to £420 million.

The company operates sites in Sherwood Forest, Longleat Forest, Elveden Forest and Woburn Forest (which opened two years ago).

The firm’s most recent results show that revenues reached £420.2m in the year to 21 April 2016, up from £386.9m the year before.

In the year, Center Parcs made an overall profit of £6.4m, although one-off expenses of £63.3m, including £42m relating to a debt refinance, led to a £6m loss at pre-tax level, while underlying profit rose by £30.6m up to an impressive £48.8m.