A planning inspector has backed Medway Council’s refusal to allow a £30 million winery, designed by Foster, in Kent. This would have been the UK’s largest winery. This recent decision is another setback for plans to establish a winery, café, and visitor centre in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) near the Cuxton village in Gravesham, Kent.
The proposed establishment would be constructed 80% below ground and include a restaurant, shop and visitor centre. It was considered that any significant development within the AONB should serve the public interest and the planning inspector was not persuaded by the winery’s business case or the inherent value of the wine experience.
The project, dubbed the Kentish Wine Vault (they need to sort their secure SSL certificate!), would not only include a state-of-the-art mainly subterranean winery but also a visitor centre, shop, and restaurant. The proposed building would feature a ‘green’ roof, and the production facility was expected to operate with zero carbon footprint. However, in December 2021, local councillors blocked the winery plans, expressing concerns about the visitor traffic volume. Subsequently, in March the following year, despite hopes for the winery’s approval during a second planning permission attempt, Medway Council voted against the development plans.
This proposed establishment was set to be Foster + Partners’ fourth winery. The firm began designing wine producers’ schemes with a project for Faustino in Ribera del Duero, which was completed in 2010. Following Foster + Partners’ recent setback for their first UK winery project they are currently reviewing the next steps with their client.
