Proposed mixed-use forestry and sustainable eco-retreat comprising of 32 tourist cabin accommodations with associated facilities, landscaping, parking and access.
It will produce a Mixed-use forestry and sustainable eco-retreat comprising tourist cabin accommodation with associated facilities, landscaping, parking and access.
The application is by Wyld Cabins (PropCo) Ltd and the Albury Estate.
Architects are Holder Mathias Associates
The application can be found at 25/P/00967 on the Guildford Borough Website
Netherlands Wood, Albury Estate, Guildford, GU5 9TE
(Extracted from Design and Access Statement)
"The scheme is an eco retreat, providing low density nature-focussed tourist accommodation in a peaceful setting. This chapter sets out the principles of a Wyld Cabins Eco Retreat: explaining the brand, the purpose, the expected guests, the guest experience, and the type of location being sought, resulting in this site being selected. CLIENT Wyld Cabins is a client seeking to provide opportunities for people to reconnect with themselves, each other and their natural surroundings, away from the stress and expectations of the modern digital world. Through extensive research of existing retreats and woodland lodge sites, the intended market and with a firm focus on design and guest experience, Wyld Cabins have developed their cabins to provide the medium for personal exploration and experiencing the natural habitat.
Guest Profile
Typical guests will be professionals who are likely juggling family, work, technology, social media and wellness, desperately trying to find the right balance. The majority of cabins are for singles and couples, with some family cabins provided. Sites operate all year round, catering for both non-seasonal and seasonal demand. The all year round operation supports a small staffed on-site facility, and also the local economy with increased footfall to local attractions.
Brand Pillars
The following principles apply to all Wyld Cabins projects:
▪ Ethical business strategy
▪ Energy resourcefulness - we are committed towards a path of energy neutrality, utilising modern technologies combined with renewable and ethical sourcing to mitigate our impact on the planet.
▪ Hyper-local - we are an active partner, harmonising with nature and connecting with local communities. We adopt a hyper-local sourcing strategy, partnering with producers to build collaboration and mutual benefits, seeking to achieve a 5 mile sourcing radius for our offer of food and goods for our guests.
▪ Biodiversity and stewardship - we make a long-term commitment to care for and invest in the beautiful woodlands into which we tiptoe, with a clear target of improving biodiversity and safeguarding our environments as responsible, long-term custodians."
The site is in a very sensitive area of the North Downs. The Society has written objecting to the plans see letter below.
We sum up in the letter "Any incursion into the landscape, especially for protected areas, can create a cumulative effect of insidious development and ultimately major loss of landscape. This application should be refused."
Surrey Hills National Landscape have commented at length and conclude that:
“From a Natonal Landscape aspect the proposal is finely balanced. But I conclude for the reasons given in the report that the circumstances of this proposal and its benefits do not outweigh the overriding great weight given in na onal and local planning policies to conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the National Landscape, which the proposal would not do.”
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