Surfing inland: Wave facility proposed for Kent country park
The pioneering surf technology is part of plans for Betteshanger Country Park
Plans for a state-of-the-art inland Wave Park are right at the heart of the leisure developments at Betteshanger Country Park near Deal.
With a target date of 2023, Quinn Estates - the owner of the park since 2019 - is pushing forward with plans to create a surf facility with wave pioneers Wavegarden.
Wavegarden’s patented wave making technology can generate up to 1,000 ‘quality’ waves per hour, ranging from 50cm (1.7ft) to almost 2m (6.5ft) in height offering a length of ride from 11 to 15 seconds.
The planning application, which will be put together in the coming months, is the latest in a range of leisure proposals centering around Betteshanger Country Park.
Owner of developers Quinn Estates, Mark Quinn, said: “We got approached a little while ago, and we wanted to make sure we did it with the right people. The people {behind it] have done two, and it will be the only Wavegarden in this area.
“We thought this is a huge opportunity to do something here on what is a former slag heap.
“We wanted to give people an opportunity, who perhaps don't have the confidence in the sea, to do it in a safe and regulated environment, creating, what we've been told, are the perfect waves and I think that really struck us.”
The Wavegarden technology is able to change wave shape and size at the touch of a button, meaning it's flexible for surfers of all ages and abilities.
Meanwhile, the development of a visitor centre, events space and Mining Museum in tribute to the site’s heritage is underway and likely to open next year.
There are also plans in place for a new five-star hotel on the Betteshanger site with 56 rooms and leisure facilities that Mr Quinn described as “something like The Grove” - the famous luxury hotel in Hertfordshire.
“We want to create something outstanding in terms of overnight accommodation in the area,” says Mr Quinn. “We want to create something special. And as builders, we think we can deliver it. We will be talking to people about operating it, but leisure has always been something we’ve loved. I started off owning a health club, that was my first business, so I've been in leisure since 1997, and I love it. Leisure brings people together, creates a huge amount of employment, but the main thing is it creates fun and laughter and gets people talking.”
Betteshanger Country Park is already home to 230 acres of land used for events as well as walking, running and cycle paths.
