After two years of standing empty, East Dene at Bonchurch could become a boutique wellness hotel.
The former hotel and wedding centre closed in 2020 due to the impact of the Covid pandemic.
It has recently come under new ownership and plans could see a spa and gym pavilion and 16 eco-holiday lodges built in the grounds.
Said to be taking inspiration from the exclusive Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire, which is frequented by celebrities, East Dene’s unique new life could promote health and wellness as part of the portfolio of Wonder Wellbeing, its new owners.
Andrew White Planning Consultancy, on behalf of Wonder Wellbeing, said the tired site could be regenerated to offer high-end accommodation and become a ‘must visit’ destination.
Bespoke programmes in health, nutrition and alternative medicine
In planning documents submitted to the Isle of Wight council, the agents said the importance of wellness would be promoted, with East Dene offering bespoke programmes in health, nutrition and alternative medicine aimed at individuals and companies.
The treatments could include cold water therapy, a gong bath, meditation and mindfulness.
Twenty bedrooms could be created in the existing house through ‘minor alterations’.
Making it commercially viable
However, to make it commercially viable, agents say 16 one and two bed eco-lodges are needed and could be placed in the woodland pleasure garden, with a raised timber boardwalk linking them.
History of the building
The Grade II* house was built in 1824 and has been the home to famous poet Algernon Charles Swinburne and MP John Snowdon Henry.
Before it was a hotel, the building also served as a girls’ finishing school run by nuns from the convent of the Sacred Heart and from 1978 was an Allnatt Children’s Activity Centre.
Renovations
The house’s exterior needs restoring, plans say, as areas of stonework are flaking and some window bays could need repairing.
Internally, as many original features as possible could remain, including wooden panelling and feature chimneys.
The old swimming pool in the grounds could be restored as well as a new one built by the spa pavilion.
Link to Coach House
The glazed link connecting East Dene and the Coach House, however, would be demolished. The Coach House was put up for sale in the summer and has since sold.
Planning documents say the deteriorating feature is not original to the house and is no longer needed.
View the plans
You can view the plans, 22/02249/FUL and 22/02250/LBC, on the council’s planning register.
The public consultation runs until 27th January.
Article edit
7.25am 22nd Dec 2022 – “And has since sold” added to sentence about the Coach House.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
