Plans for inland surg lagoon along with 120-bed hotel and spa at Kent county ... trends now
Plans for an inland lagoon facility with a wave pool alongside a luxury hotel and spa at a Kent country park have been submitted - despite protesters' fears over wildlife at the site.
The plans to build the lagoon facility with a wave pool which could hold up to 80 surfers and a hotel spa that could hold 120 guests were submitted to Dover District Council in September.
But protesters have raised concerned over the environmental impact that the new facility, called The Seahive, will have.
The Seahive would become part of the Betteshanger Country Park, near Deal in Kent, and will feature a surf hub which will include cafes, restaurants, changing rooms and training facilities.
Plans have been submitted to Dover District Council to build a surf resort in Kent. Pictured: CGI image of what the resort could look like, featuring a wave pool that could hold up to 80 surfers
The Seahive (concept image pictured) would also feature 15 overnight holiday pods, a yoga studio and fitness and well-being facilities
There will also be 15 overnight holiday pods, a yoga studio and fitness and well-being facilities.
The organisers are planning to open the inland surfing space by April 2025 and aim to attract thousands of visitors to the area each year.
A decision on both the hotel and surfing lagoon is expected to be made early next year but people are concerned about the plans.
During a demonstration organised by Friends of Betteshanger, many voiced their worries about the new development.
The group fear that the it will affect the area's animals and plants - with concerns for skylarks, lizards and doves in particular.
One protester, Sue Sullivan, said: 'Turtle Doves have declined by 98 per cent since the 1970s and we have a special responsibility to protect their remaining habitats, such as those at Betteshanger Country Park, and prevent their extinction in the UK.
'The colony of Lizard Orchids at Betteshanger rivals that at Sandwich Bay Nature Reserve. They are a treasure of Dover District.'
Another protester, Colin Bridgeland, added: 'I am not against a hotel or surfing facility, but this is our Country Park, it's the wrong place for such developments.'
The bosses behind the project urge those objecting to take a deeper look at their plans for sustainability and biodiversity which they say will actually be improved by 11 per cent once the project is finished.
Alex Kalorkoti, consultant to Betteshanger Country Park, said: 'What people objecting to it have rightly identified is that there are valuable habitats and important species here.
'We have been aware of that from the outset and we have incorporated ecology into our plans. It's not development first, and the environment as an afterthought.
Protesters have criticised the move as they have concerns on the impact of wildlife in the area. Pictured: The proposed plans for The Seahive
The plans also feature a hotel and spa that could hold 120 guests were submitted to Dover District Council in September. Pictured: CGI images of what the hotel could look like
'We've set aside 11 hectares of the country park which is furthest away from the hub activity and the car park.
'That land will become part of the ecological management plan.
'We are also funding an ecology warden because at the moment there are no
