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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<\/p>\nA 96-cabin \u201cnature retreat\u201d in the Kent countryside has been approved – despite concerns it will resemble a \u201ccaravan park\u201d.<\/p>\n
Dover District Council\u2019s planning committee backed the plans for New Park on the historic Northbourne Estate, near Deal, by nine votes to one.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Developer Acacia Outdoors says the scheme, in Betteshanger, will create at least 177 jobs and pump \u00a317.7 million a year into the Dover district economy, including more than \u00a311 million in direct visitor spending.<\/p>\n
The proposal had divided opinion, with 43 objection letters warning it would harm the countryside\u2019s rural character and tranquillity, while 26 people wrote in support, citing tourism and economic benefits.<\/p>\n
In total, 96 holiday lodges will be built beside existing woodland, with construction expected to begin this summer and finish in early 2027.<\/p>\n
Speaking after the decision, Acacia Outdoors chief executive Nelson Chiwara said: \u201cNew 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The scheme is being delivered in partnership with Lord Northbourne and the Northbourne Estate.<\/p>\n
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CGI of what the holiday cabins are expected to look like. Picture: Acacia Outdoors<\/p>\n
Charles James, 6th Baron Northbourne, said: \u201cMy family has cared for Northbourne for generations and this project continues that stewardship, restoring the landscape while creating opportunities for the local community.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is also particularly important to us that it supports Northbourne Park School, strengthening its future and its long-standing relationship with the Estate.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the meeting, Ashley Collins, speaking on behalf of planning agent Montagu Evans, told councillors: \u201cThis scheme will deliver meaningful environmental, social and economic benefits for the local area.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a low-impact development shaped around allowing guests to connect with the natural environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe facilities are deliberately limited in scale to support the landscape-led approach and to ensure the proposals do not create a conventional holiday park.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Part](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ZIHLPYMKM5OT3BP82OFM.jpg\")
Part of the site where the holiday lodges are planned on the Northbourne Estate. Picture: Macgregor Smith<\/p>\n
But resident Lynn Davis urged councillors to reject the scheme.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cabins are huddled together in a small part of the site, cheek by jowl, much more like a caravan park,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne can only wonder about the future when the number of cabins is increased – too many, too dense.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not small-scale. It does not contribute to rural vitality and in fact does great harm.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n