Welcome
Welcome to our dedicated consultation website, showcasing proposals for a nature retreat featuring circa. 96 cabins on land at New Park, Northbourne, shown in red below. This project builds on the heritage and character of the Northbourne Estate.
The site’s rural setting and its historic role within the Northbourne Estate have helped shape a distinctive landscape and ecology. These qualities are central to our proposals, which aim to deliver a number of benefits detailed below.
Economic benefits
- A total annual boost of £6.7 million to the Dover economy, including £2.3 million from direct operations and £4.4 million through the wider supply chain.
- Around £11 million in annual visitor spending across local shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants, creating a combined uplift of £17.7 million in economic activity each year.
- A £2.7 million economic contribution during the construction phase.
Employment benefits
- Around 177 jobs supported once operational, including 25 on site, around 30 linked to the events programme and 122 indirect roles in the local supply chain.
- Around 39 construction jobs created during the build phase.
Environmental and sustainability benefits
- Delivery of at least 15% biodiversity net gain, exceeding local policy requirements.
- Extensive landscape improvements including 17.9 hectares of wildflower meadow, 1.4 hectares of traditional Kentish orchard and 6.77 hectares of new native woodland to replace 0.75 hectares of lower quality tree cover, a ratio of almost nine to one.
- Creation of two new wildlife ponds and a dark skies compliant lighting strategy to protect local habitats.
- A closed loop, off grid drainage system ensuring zero nitrate and phosphate discharge and supporting high standards of water reusability.
Next steps
The planning application has now been validated and you can share your comments here
Subject to receiving planning permission, we hope to start on site next spring with the new retreat expected to open in autumn 2026.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please get in touch using the details below.