A 96-cabin “nature retreat” in the Kent countryside has been approved – despite concerns it will resemble a “caravan park”.
Dover District Council’s planning committee backed the plans for New Park on the historic Northbourne Estate, near Deal, by nine votes to one.
The site of the holiday park planned for Betteshanger near Deal. The small white rectangles represent where the holiday cabins will be. Picture: Macgregor Smith
Developer Acacia Outdoors says the scheme, in Betteshanger, will create at least 177 jobs and pump £17.7 million a year into the Dover district economy, including more than £11 million in direct visitor spending.
The proposal had divided opinion, with 43 objection letters warning it would harm the countryside’s rural character and tranquillity, while 26 people wrote in support, citing tourism and economic benefits.
In total, 96 holiday lodges will be built beside existing woodland, with construction expected to begin this summer and finish in early 2027.
Speaking after the decision, Acacia Outdoors chief executive Nelson Chiwara said: “New Park will give people the chance to experience something genuinely rare: a working estate in the heart of Kent, restored to the landscape it deserves, with the wider community and local economy at the heart of how it operates.”
The scheme is being delivered in partnership with Lord Northbourne and the Northbourne Estate.
CGI of what the holiday cabins are expected to look like. Picture: Acacia Outdoors
Charles James, 6th Baron Northbourne, said: “My family has cared for Northbourne for generations and this project continues that stewardship, restoring the landscape while creating opportunities for the local community.
“It is also particularly important to us that it supports Northbourne Park School, strengthening its future and its long-standing relationship with the Estate.”
During the meeting, Ashley Collins, speaking on behalf of planning agent Montagu Evans, told councillors: “This scheme will deliver meaningful environmental, social and economic benefits for the local area.
“This is a low-impact development shaped around allowing guests to connect with the natural environment.
“The facilities are deliberately limited in scale to support the landscape-led approach and to ensure the proposals do not create a conventional holiday park.”
Part of the site where the holiday lodges are planned on the Northbourne Estate. Picture: Macgregor Smith
But resident Lynn Davis urged councillors to reject the scheme.
“The cabins are huddled together in a small part of the site, cheek by jowl, much more like a caravan park,” she said.
“One can only wonder about the future when the number of cabins is increased – too many, too dense.
“This is not small-scale. It does not contribute to rural vitality and in fact does great harm.”
Developers say New Park will include a 30-year woodland management plan, with 6.77 hectares of new woodland, 17.9 hectares of wildflower meadow, traditional orchards, calcareous grassland and new ponds.
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They also say the site will support nearby pubs, restaurants and activity providers through partnerships designed to keep visitor spending in the local economy.
The developer has also agreed a formal Memorandum of Understanding with the East Kent College Group to establish apprenticeships and work-based learning placements in nature-based and rural hospitality.
Acacia Outdoors says a shuttle service connecting the site to nearby railway stations will help alleviate traffic concerns.