Kentish Express Ashford & District
Hotel eyes beach-style pool huts
Visitors to Eastwell Manor could soon enjoy a taste of the seaside if plans to install beach huts around the hotel’s swimming pool are approved.
Bosses at luxury spa hotel chain Champneys took over the site near Boughton Aluph in October last year, and have since worked on plans to redevelop it.
They have now submitted plans to build a new pool house at the site off Faversham Road and to erect six beach huts around the outdoor pool.
A spokesman said: “The proposed scheme will replace the current pool house and provide a larger one including changing and recreation facilities as well as seasonal beach huts.
“The six huts will provide additional changing space and will be set into a landscaped, sandy area.
“The pool environment will also be improved.
“Champneys is bringing fresh investment into the area and creating additional jobs.”
In July, bosses had multi-million pound plans for a new block of 28 rooms approved, which will include four suites, 12 luxury family double rooms and 12 double rooms.
The company says the redevelopment is part of an £8 million scheme to make the hotel the best five-star accommodation in Kent. The hotel currently employs 140 people, but Champneys estimates that scores of jobs will be created through its expansion plans, with the number of employees rising to 250.
Former owner Turrloo Parrett was granted planning permission for a fivebedroom annexe in 1999, 2007 and 2010, but Champneys said the plans did not meet its requirements for the hotel.
A public consultation on the pool house plans will close on Thursday, October 12.
To comment on the scheme, visit www. ashford.gov.uk and search for the 17/01368/ AS application.