TV celebrity and nature expert Chris Packham is the latest in a long line of people to raise objections to the proposed hotel and surf Lagoon in Betteshanger.
Mr Packham says people should “voice your objections to what would be a catastrophic development”, adding that the hotel and surf park would result in a “biodiversity crisis”.
The £50million development is an ambitious scheme proposed for Betteshanger Country Park, near Deal and would see a 120-bed luxury hotel and the county’s first ever surf resort built. The Seahive wave resort and separate luxury hotel could be open as soon as 2025, if plans are passed by Dover District Council.
The plan for the 15-acre site will feature a Wavegarden Cove surf lagoon at its centre, which can create more than 20 different wave types from 50cm to two metres, providing rides of up to 15 seconds long for all ages and abilities. The lagoon will be the second of its kind in England and the seventh in the world.
The controversial project was first announced in 2021 and has raised concerns for wildlife and a loss of green open space, despite assurances that almost 30 acres of the huge park will be set aside for wildlife habitats, and that there will be an ecological management plan.
the design team are exploring additional measures to bolt onto our existing ecology plans
Mr Packham has urged fans to sign a petition which opposes the park, created by community group Friends of Betteshanger, which will be presented to Dover District Council. It currently has over 2,700 signatures.
Stuart O’Leary, head of Betteshanger Country Park, said in response to Mr Packhams concerns “Additional off-site mitigation strategies are being worked on. We have robust mitigation strategies proposed on-site at Betteshanger Country Park for both lizard orchids and turtle doves, which include additional habitat and foraging ground. These strategies are currently under consideration as part of the two planning applications”.
