Surf resort plans for former Kent colliery

Plans for a surf wellness resort on the site of a former Kent colliery at Betteshanger Country Park have been submitted to Dover District Council.

TheSeahive Ltd, founded by Jim Storey, has engaged architect Holloway Studio to work up designs for the £40m project near Deal.

Plans for the 15-acre site feature a Wavegarden Cove surf lagoon at the centre, which can generate more than 20 different wave types from 50cm to 2cm.

Overlooking the lagoon is a clubhouse featuring a surf academy as well as a restaurant and bar, conference facility, retail outlet, chill out spaces, dedicated work area and immersive balcony.

Surrounding the lagoon, a number of interconnected ‘hives’ of activity are planned, including a wellness facility with yoga and fitness zones, cold water therapy and meditation pavilions, pump track and splash pool. There are also a small number of sustainably-designed holiday lodges.

The project also aims to be carbon neutral from the start through the use of sustainable energy to power the waves.

The developer also aims to create a separate area of over 28 acres dedicated to an ecologically-led regime of enhancements and management, including an ecology warden. This area is 85% larger than the parcel of land on which The Seahive will sit, which TheSeahive Ltd claims will generate a net biodiversity gain in excess of 10%.

Storey said: “My vision has always been far greater than just creating an inland surf lagoon. The Seahive is a purpose-driven, inclusive business anchored around the power of blue health and its impact on both physical and mental wellbeing.

“We are passionate about creating an immersive, authentic destination that empowers people to push boundaries in a safe environment, improves and protects wellbeing, encourages communities to connect, creates environmental changemakers, equips kids with knowledge and self-belief, increases tourism, supports local businesses and generates hundreds of jobs.”