Plans to build 50 holiday lodges, 20 touring pitches, a club house with shop and café and a gym block with sauna, spa and plunge pools plus the creation of a central swimming lake at Chapel House Estate in Minster have been approved.
The development is aimed at attracting year-round visitor and will mean the creation of more than 25 new jobs.
The lodges and clubhouse will be single storey buildings with lodges offering studio, one bedroom and premium two bedroom accommodation.
A new parking area will mean 79 spaces are provided with four as disabled spaces. There will also be nine EV charging points.
Guest will reach the lodges by foot via the tracks which run in rings around the site. There is also a wider service track suitable for buggies for maintenance, cleaning and also to assist with moving luggage. The site offers level access and the hub building will have level thresholds and ramps will be provided. There will also be two fully accessible units.
The holiday site will be created on existing agricultural land. Planning documents say there will be wildflower meadows and groups of native trees added along on the open parts of the site and a new woodland copse.
The swimming lake will have “self-sufficient, chemical-free planting and reed beds.”
Four letters of objection were received by Thanet council raising concerns including an increase in traffic, harm to wildlife and the loss of agricultural land.
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) was among those to object on biodiversity and loss of agricultural land.
A planning officer report says the agricultural holding comprises 251 hectares (158 hectares owned by the current farmer and a further 93 hectares rented by that farmer) across Minster, Cliffsend and Sandwich. At approximately 6 hectares in size “ the application site forms only 2% of the overall holding. The council has received an email from the current farmer of the site stating that the site is “not economical” for them to farm, with the statement outlining that previously wheat and cauliflowers was produced on the site.”
One letter of support raised points including the diversification of the site and employment opportunities.
Tourism growth was also highlighted by Thanet council’s tourism manager, who said: “Since its opening, Chapel House Estate has served as an award winning events venue, offering a high-quality hospitality venue for the local community, while also attracting bookings from outside the area.
“The proposed development reflects current market trends and mirrors improvements seen at other modern, sustainable venues across the UK, particularly in the scale and type of units being introduced. The expansion is designed to meet evolving customer expectations, particularly for unique accommodation and outdoor experiences that offer both authenticity and quality.
“This application would enhance the availability of quality accommodation and facilities within the district. In recent years, particularly post-pandemic, there has been a notable rise in wellbeing tourism, with visitors placing greater emphasis on sustainability when making travel choices. When a new provision is created, economic benefits are provided through job creation, local purchasing of goods and services, and increased visitor spending.
“Tourism data from 2023 indicates a strong recovery, with the sector contributing over £349 million to the Thanet economy and supporting 8,257 jobs. Overnight stays nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, with 486,300 visitors recorded in 2023, a 4% increase from 2021.
“These figures highlight the importance of tourism to the local economy and the increasing demand for high-quality accommodation and facilities. However, the Destination Management Framework identifies that there is a gap in overnight quality accommodation and experiences in Thanet, which would help to further increase these numbers.”
Permission has been granted with a number of conditions related to construction, lighting, biodiversity, reptile surveys and payment of a Special Protection Area Contribution.
A spokesperson for Chapel House Estate said: “Gaining planning permission will allow Chapel House Estate to build on its proven success and further strengthen Thanet’s visitor economy.
“The proposed expansion supports high-quality, sustainable tourism, attracting new visitors year-round and encouraging longer stays that benefit local businesses, suppliers, and attractions across Thanet and East Kent.
“The development will also create over 25 new full and part-time jobs, supporting local employment and skills, while reinforcing Chapel House Estate’s commitment to responsible growth, environmental stewardship and long-term economic value for the community.”
Chapel House Estate was launched in 2022 by owner Darren Ellis. Since then, it has won awards for its service and setting – which includes a wild apple orchard, meadows, repurposed historic buildings, including a chapel built in 1290, and accommodation- and specifically for its use as a wedding venue.
The estate has already created 40 jobs.
