THE AMERICA ONE NEWS
Jun 3, 2025  |  
0
 | Remer,MN
Sponsor:  QWIKET 
Sponsor:  QWIKET 
Sponsor:  QWIKET: Elevate your fantasy game! Interactive Sports Knowledge.
Sponsor:  QWIKET: Elevate your fantasy game! Interactive Sports Knowledge and Reasoning Support for Fantasy Sports and Betting Enthusiasts.
back  
topic
NY Post
New York Post
25 Nov 2023


NextImg:English locals protest planned countryside wellness retreat for millennials: ‘Habitat destruction’

English countryside locals are slamming plans for a luxury wellness retreat catering to millennials over concerns the ritzy development will ruin precious green space and disturb area wildlife.

The proposed retreat would be nestled in Kent Wood, a rich forest just 45 miles northeast of London, where developers expect its young clientele will hail from.

Developers Escape Holiday Ventures described the refuge as an opportunity for guests — expected to be mostly millennials or Gen Z — to “escape the stresses of modern life” to experience “wellness in nature at its heart,” according to SWNS.

Locals of the neighboring town Hythe, however, protest that the development will only disrupt the environment it is claiming to worship.

“I wanted to live in Hythe because of the beauty of the surroundings. Right by my house we have these beautiful woods and can hear the birds, the lake and a lot of nature. It’s just so peaceful and calm,” Emma Sharp, who has lived in the area for 22 years, told the outlet.

“We need to protect this green land and nature for our future generation.”

Hythe locals gathered to protest a proposed luxury retreat development in the Kent Wood forest.
Kent Messenger Group / SWNS

Sharp launched a petition against the retreat, which has since garnered 148 signatures from other concerned neighbors.

“I just think the habitat destruction is totally unwarranted. There’s so much wildlife here and it’s a lovely area,” David Bussell, a self-described “environmentalist” who has lived in nearby Britten Close for about 32 years with his partner Diana Dawson, said.

“People’s homes are going to be affected by noise and it will affect the value of their homes because it’s going to be an eyesore. It’s not the place for it.”

“I just think the habitat destruction is totally unwarranted. There’s so much wildlife here and it’s a lovely area,” said David Bussell.
SWNS

Another neighbor, Julie Bell, told the outlet her grandchildren are upset over the plans and fear it will drive away the rabbits that live in the woodlands.

“This is all our natural, local environment and we come here a lot and take a lot of notice of the nature here. We don’t want all this intrusion of noise and building and extra rubbish,” she said.

Plans for the development include a community building, a car park and four luxury holiday cabins, all with different themes that “encourage guests” to take in the stunning woodlands.

To further drive home that mission, no WiFi or TVs will be available.

The development expects its clientele to be millennial or Gen Z couples from London.
Kent Messenger Group / SWNS

Instead, guests are encouraged to partake in yoga, talks, craft making and other holistic activities, including walking along a boardwalk through the woodland which the developers say will allow “human life and nature to live and thrive cohesively.”

Keep up with today's most important news

Stay up on the very latest with Evening Update.

“Being in the wood and next to the river provides the perfect backdrop for all the senses, allowing guests to slow down and appreciate the environment surrounding them.”

Neighbors claim developers are using the nature-first mission as a guise, especially upon learning that five poor-conditioned trees will be removed, though developers say they will be replaced.

They also worry about increased traffic and noise pollution.

So far, 61 members of the public have submitted objections to the town’s planning portal as the development awaits approval. There are none in favor.

“The site has unfortunately been subject to ash dieback creating many dangerous trees that need to be removed for public safety or have already fallen,” a spokesperson for Escape Holiday Ventures said, adding that the plans include noise and pollution suppression tactics.

“We intend to replant native trees that will help the wood flourish and by managing this new growth and preventing soil erosion in the surrounding areas will ensure we can create a strong and healthy woodland for many generations to come.”

On Monday, residents plan to protest the plan outside Folkestone Town Hall.

With Post wires