A master plan has been unveiled to add a spa, restaurant and sports areas to a luxury holiday village in Dorset. Formerly known as Warmwell Quarry, the Silverlake luxury holiday home on the outskirts of Crossways near Dorchester has been redeveloped into an eco-friendly and luxury location since it was acquired by The Habitat First Group in 2011.
Habitat First Group has submitted a reserved application to Dorset Council for a spa with restaurant, outdoor area, waste warehouses, factory, outbuildings, public and landscaping areas, parking and associated infrastructure. Known as Dorset Spa, it is proposed to be built around Lake 5, which is in the center of the project, to the west of the Five Permissible Villages and to the south of Knighton Heath Woodland and Biodiverse Heart.
The design and access statement indicates how the owners wish to create a resort and restaurant that is “open and welcoming” and “provides a community hub for development as a whole”, as well as “provides economically sustainable development”. The diagrams show that the restaurant will enjoy lakeside views with up to 90 seats indoors and 80 outdoors, and more seating inside the bar.
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Developers say the spa, which will feature two pools, a sauna, and a steam room, is designed to capture southern views and daylight and can seat 73 people in the indoor pool, 46 in the outdoor pool, and 16 people inside the steam room. Plans also show that its outdoor spa will feature a large thermal area with heated hubs, thermal cabins, lounging platforms, and a floating fire pit, as well as a treatment area and event space.
A center for hydrotherapy activities has been proposed, which provides water sports, along with lakeside therapy and cabins, a reception center and an outdoor spa cabin. Due to the site expansion, Habitat First Group believes the new site will create at least 66 new jobs with a mix of managerial, therapist, chef and staff roles available, and additional scope for more employees during peak season.
The computer-generated graphics show that the proposed buildings will be “sustainable” and “create a positive impact on the broader community and are respectful and in harmony with nature”. Natural materials, from local sources, will be used to create buildings in keeping with the site, with room for greenery in the buildings.
A number of footpaths and access points for cyclists and shuttles will also be created to connect the new development to the broader site. The new car park aims to provide 180 parking spaces for guests and visitors.
The design and statement text reads: “Habitat First Group creates private vacation home communities that share a love for Mother Nature. By combining excellence in architecture, interior design, amenities, security and services, vacationers can escape the rigors of city life. Habitat provides First an oasis of space where families can spend a relaxing and responsible vacation, safely exploring and revitalizing acres and acres of natural habitat.”
The current site was formerly a 227-hectare quarry, and before that it was a World War II air base. Prior to this planning application, the final stage of obtaining approval included a four-bed “lighthouse” home, several estates and outbuildings, a gym, a communal pier on the lake, and private berths for several homes.
Comments on the application are welcome in the Dorset Council Planning Department on its website through May 21, with application reference number P/RES/2022/02437.
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