Betteshanger: the hotel and spa application is back in

Developer claims changes to plans for country park will benefit wildlife

Dover District Council planning committee on 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 the country park.

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

After the planning committee had met, and without DDC posting the notice of refusal, Quinn Estates withdrew its planning application.

And, as many had predicted, almost two months later the developer submitted a revised application with changes that it says would benefit wildlife – these include relocation of the spa to allow the retention of two ponds; dropping the plan for an outdoor pool; and provision of an additional nine acres of managed land for turtle doves.

There are also plans from the same applicant to build a surf lagoon on the site.

CPRE Kent and its partner groups have been preparing to use all legal means necessary to defend the country park and its wildlife, launching a CrowdJustice appeal to fund expert advice and possibly legal representation depending on how events unfold.

If you can donate, please visit www.crowdjustice.com/case/save-betteshanger-wildlife or the CPRE Kent website cprekent.org.uk