Alton Towers founder John Broome has acquired Cornwall's Crealy Great Adventure Park, along with 200 acres of adjacent farmland, with the intention of transforming it into a premier European destination, branded as Camel Creek Resort.

Plans, which are due to be submitted to Cornwall Council next month, include the addition of up to 236 holiday villas, courtyard properties, tree houses, a pool, spa, restaurant, pub and convention centre.

Although the theme park, which includes a range of family rides and animals, will be updated, there are currently no plans for any large new rides.

“Cornwall is just crying out for this kind of operation,” says Broome, who took control of Alton Towers in the 1970s before selling it to The Tussauds Group in 1990. “There will be a tropical lake, the largest in Britain, heated by a combination of biomass, wind turbines and solar panels, providing a water feature for each of the properties.”

The Down family have owned the park since 2004, which has seen an increase in visitor numbers year-on-year and was the UK's first solar-powered theme park. The sale proceeds will allow the family to invest in their other park, Devon’s Crealy Great Adventure Park, near Exeter.

“The sale of Cornwall’s Crealy will mean that we can concentrate our efforts and investments at our multi award winning Devon’s Crealy Great Adventure Park and its adjoining luxury caravan and camping park Crealy Meadows," said managing director, Chris Down. "We have had a good season so far this year in Devon and we are looking forward to progressing with some very exciting plans for the future.”

Under the new ownership, the current management team will stay in place. Admission to the new resort will be free to people living within a 1km radius, as well as discounted to other local people.