Environment loses out as Dover council approves Betteshanger development

Planning committee votes against its own Local Plan policies for designated open space

Yesterday evening (Thursday, March 7), Dover District Council planning committee granted planning permission for Quinn Estates to build a 120-bed hotel, spa and surfing lagoon on the protected open space and community asset of Betteshanger Country Park.

CPRE Kent had worked closely with Friends of Betteshanger, the RSPB, Buglife and Kent Wildlife Trust to protect this rewilded colliery site, so we were deeply disappointed by the decision.

The planning committee had in July last year agreed to refuse permission for the hotel and spa. After it had met, and without DDC posting the notice of refusal, Quinn Estates withdrew its planning application.

Almost two months later, the developer submitted a revised application with changes it said would benefit wildlife – these included 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.

In a separate application, the developer also submitted a proposal to build a surfing lagoon on the site.

Both applications were heard yesterday evening – and both approved. The decision by the planning committee to vote against its own Local Plan policies for designated open space in approving the schemes is baffling.

The former spoil tip of Betteshanger colliery, the country park was established some 20 years ago and now hosts a wonderful array of wildlife, some of which is nationally rare or in rapid decline.

Water voles, turtle doves, slow-worms and lizard orchids are just some of the species to make it their home, but in 2019 the site was sold on to Quinn Estates, which subsequently unveiled its plans to build a surf lagoon, hotel and spa there.

Nature and our environment lost out badly with this decision – the council would appear to have little respect for either.