A £100m holiday resort has been described as “a game changer” for Anglesey’s economy.

Bluestone has struck a deal with Land & Lakes which will see both parties work together to develop Bluestone Holy Island Resort Ynys Môn.

Covering 200 acres of land on the Penrhos Estate at Holy Island, it’s hoped that around 200,000 visitors a year will be attracted to the luxury resort.

Set to open in 2021, the complex would directly employ 900 people once operational and an estimated 600 during construction.

The island has been devastated by job losses over the past decade, including the loss of 400 at Anglesey Aluminium and the electricity production ceasing at Magnox’s Wylfa nuclear plant, which is now being decommissioned.

Anglesey’s economic chief has heralded the deal, which comes after months of discussions involving Bluestone, Land & Lakes and the council’s economic development department.

“This is a game changer, there’s no doubt about it,” said Cllr Carwyn Jones.

“Its fantastic news that will create almost 1,000 quality local jobs for Holyhead and Anglesey.

“This will also be a massive boost for both the supply chain and tourism on the island and north Wales as a whole.”

Cllr Jones also confirmed that outline planning consent was already in place for the development after Land & Lakes secured permission for their planned leisure village in 2016 – the largest application ever considered by the authority.

Land and Lakes had intended to use the land to build an accommodation complex for the thousands of workers expected to build Wylfa Newydd, which would then have been converted into a tourism resort.

According to Bluestone, who also operate a leisure village in Pembrokeshire, the complex will feature an indoor sub-tropical water park, premium restaurants, a luxury spa and water sports centre.

The on-site outdoor activity centre will be created around an inland sea with an additional 110 jobs set to be created by suppliers and businesses connected to the resort.

Welcoming the announcement, the island’s MP Albert Owen described the plans as “a very interesting proposal to the promotion of Anglesey as a major tourist attraction and destination”.

He added: “The island and north Wales has seen a huge amount of investment into the tourist board and Anglesey is vital to this.

“Bluestone have a strong reputation and the planned resort will add value to our tourist offer and provide employment opportunities.

“It must be sensitive to the local environment and link into the island community’s supply chain.

“Local planners will scrutinise the plans, as will the public, but this is a much-needed boost to the island.”

Rhun ap Iorwerth AM said: “This sounds like a more ‘complete’ plan than the one that went before, and there is certainly appeal in that it is an intrinsically Welsh development, and a clear holiday and leisure scheme that is not linked to other projects.

“I am however aware of the concerns that have been raised in the past about the future of Penrhos as a public amenity, but I look forward to learning more and to discuss the plans with the developer, and the opportunities as well as challenges that come with it.”

According to Land & Lakes, they remain committed to developing the remaining two thirds of their plans for Holyhead including up to 320 homes at Kingsland.

Bluestone CEO William McNamara said that, by employing people from Anglesey, it’s hoped this will encourage them to stay in the area and in turn help protect the language and culture.

“This is a part of Wales that deserves to be shown off to the rest of the world, but it also needs to be developed carefully, respecting and protecting its stunning environment, much like we continue to do in Pembrokeshire,” he said.

“We have a wealth of experience with working with local suppliers and have helped build a huge variety of businesses in Pembrokeshire over the past decade. We hope we can replicate the same in the community of Ynys Môn.

“It’s also a significant deal for Wales, and a sign that Welsh businesses believe in our nation – giving thousands of families across the border a reason to visit our beautiful country, spend their holidays here and be part of our story.”