Despite concerns from protestors about the site’s biodiversity, plans for an inland lagoon complex with a wave pool beside a luxury hotel and spa have been filed.
The Dover District Council received the proposals in September for the construction of the lagoon facility with a wave pool that could accommodate up to 80 surfers and a hotel spa that could accommodate 120 visitors.
However, opponents have expressed alarm over the Seahive’s new facility’s potential environmental effects.
The Seahive will have a surf center with cafés, restaurants, changing rooms, and training facilities. It will be a component of the Betteshanger Country Park, close to Deal in Kent.
A yoga studio, fitness centers, and 15 vacation pods that may be rented out overnight will also be included.
The organizers want to draw thousands of people to the region each year after opening the inland surfing area by April 2025.
People are worried about the plans, but a decision is anticipated early in the next year regarding both the hotel and the surfing lagoon.
Many people expressed their concerns over the proposed development during a protest organized by Friends of Betteshanger.
The organization is concerned about how it may impact the local flora and fauna, with a focus on skylarks, lizards, and doves in particular.
Turtle Dove populations had decreased by 98% since the 1970s, and Sue Sullivan, one protester, stated: “We have a unique duty to safeguard their surviving habitats, including those at Betteshanger Country Park, and stop their extinction in the UK.”
“The Betteshanger Lizard Orchid colony matches Sandwich Bay Nature Reserve in size.” They are the Dover District’s greatest gem.
‘I am not against a hotel or surfing facility, but this is our Country Park, it’s the inappropriate site for such projects,’ said another protester, Colin Bridgeland.
The project’s leaders implores individuals who are opposed to the project to look more closely at their plans for sustainability and biodiversity, which they claim will actually enhance by 11% after the project is completed.
“What people opposed to it have properly recognised is that there are rich ecosystems and key species here,” said Alex Kalorkoti, a consultant for Betteshanger Country Park.
We have taken environment into account in our planning since we were aware of this from the beginning. The environment is not considered second and development first.
The country park’s 11 hectares that are the farthest from the core of activity and the parking lot have been set aside.
The ecological management plan will include that land.
Because there are currently no staff members on the property who are devoted to ecology, “We are also sponsoring an ecology warden.”
By managing the habitats in this way, we can ensure that lizard orchids, turtle doves, and invertebrates continue to live in a healthy environment.
It will represent a net increase in biodiversity of little over 11%.
We acknowledge that implementing our approach may result in a temporary loss of habitat, but what we are doing more than makes up for that.
Many opponents have also questioned the necessity for an inland surf resort in Kent given that the county is surrounded by water.
Jim Storey, the CEO and creator of The Seahive, said, “There are no waves in Kent.” Joss Bay and Viking Bay sometimes light up if there is a strong north-easterly surf, although it doesn’t happen very frequently.
Kent is not known for its surfing at all; in fact, many surfers go six hours to Cornwall or board a plane to another country, which is not ideal in terms of the consumption of fossil resources.
The sea is not a very friendly place for kids or individuals with different physical and mental limitations, but here is a place made for people of all abilities.
“Back in June the Environment Agency warned us not to go swimming in the Kent coastline due to sewage, which is an utter joke in this day and age with corporations treating the water as a dumping ground,” a resident of Kent said.
It’s crucial that the destination be genuine, not simply a huge slab of concrete in the ground as many people anticipate it to be, said Mr. Storey.
“It’s important that this be a location that people of all ages, skills, and impairments can enjoy.
It’s a secure environment where individuals may test their limits, form relationships, engage with their communities, and grow personally.
“This is not a money-making scam; it is a company with a purpose.”
I’m not a developer or a man in a pinstriped suit; this is a purpose-driven location that is really significant.
The Wavegarden Cove surf lagoon, which can produce more than 20 distinct wave types ranging in size from 50 centimeters to two meters, will be located in the center of the 15-acre site’s overall master design and will provide rides lasting up to 15 seconds for riders of all ages and skill levels.
A wellness center featuring yoga and workout areas, cold water treatment, meditation pavilions, and a splash pool will also be there, along with 15 housing pods.
A clubhouse featuring a surf school, restaurant, bar, conference room, retail store, chill out areas, designated work area, and immersive balcony will be built over the lagoon.
If permitted, the lagoon would join facilities in Melbourne, South Korea, Switzerland, Brazil, Wales, and Bristol as the eighth of its sort in the globe and the second in England.
The park was in disrepair when we took over management in 2019, so Stuart O’Leary, director of Betteshanger Country Park, explained: “We have had to really strive to acquire income and increase traffic.
“We invested $2 million on the investment center, completed the mining museum, the Lamp Room, and grew the company to nearly break even.”
“Since taking over, the foot traffic has almost doubled, and this year we want to treble it, but we’re still looking for more ways to make it more sustainable, and these improvements would greatly help with that,” the company said.
There are literally just approximately 100 rooms within a mile of the park, indicating a severe lack of hotel accommodations in the region.
“If there were a hotel here, we could draw a lot more people to the activities we offer.”
»Kent county park plans inland surf lagoon, 120-bed hotel, and spa«