Betteshanger: scheme pulled but battle to save site might not be over yet

Quinn Estates has withdrawn its planning application at country park

Conservation charities and wildlife campaigners remain poised to fight plans for a hotel on a fantastic site for nature should they be resubmitted.

Dover District Council planning committee last month (Thursday, July 13) agreed to refuse planning permission for Quinn Estates to build a 120-bed hotel and spa on the protected open space and community asset of Betteshanger Country Park.

CPRE Kent, the countryside charity, had worked closely with Friends of Betteshanger, the RSPB, Buglife and Kent Wildlife Trust to protect this rewilded colliery site that is a striking example of how nature can recover from the impacts of industry.

Since the planning committee met, and without DDC posting the notice of refusal, Quinn Estates has withdrawn its planning application.

Aware this might not yet be the end of the story, CPRE Kent and its partner groups are ready should Quinn Estates try again with its scheme; they also continue to campaign against plans from the same applicant to build a surf lagoon on the site.

• For more on this story, click here