£34m spa dream taking shape (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

£34m spa dream taking shape

5:12pm Thursday 5th November 2009

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IT’S countdown to the opening of the £34million luxury spa development at Thorpe.

The complex, which will employ 250 local people, is scheduled to open on the first weekend of November 2010.

The luxury spa is being built on the site of the former Georgian style mansion which was demolished a few years ago.

Builders are now creating the dream of Managing Director Martin Wootton who was the founder of the award winning Ragdale Hall in Leicestershire.

The complex will include 100 guest rooms and 87 treatment rooms in three separate and complimentary buildings designed to blend in with the parkland environment.

The spa will include a swimming pool, sauna, steam rooms, exercise rooms, meditation rooms and offer an extensive range of holistic and complimentary therapies.

The current entrance to the site is off Station Road but a new road way has now been built into Thorpe Road.

It has taken six years to gain planning permission for the project, which is set in 130 acres of pasture and parkland with 14 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and three lakes.

Forty builders from Colchester firm Hutton Construction are working on site and the three story accommodation units are already up to roof level and the foundations of the spa and swimming pool have been dug.

Site manager Mick Atkins said: “This is our largest contract in the area. I have over 100 sets of drawings in my office to follow.

All the workmen on site are local, he said.

“The spa basement is complete. We had to drill nine metre pillions in for this, up to ground floor level. The retaining walls are now being constructed.The spa is on target and due to be complete and fully fitted out by the end of October next year, for opening first weekend in November.”

Thorpe Hall press officer Linda Hall said: ” In November 2010 we already have a health and fitness week planned with local fitness trainers Dave Bond and Kate Mitchell, a mind, body and soul themed week , a nutrition themed week and a yoga themed week.

“Our focus will be on optimum health and well being. We already have our very own acupuncture master from China and a naturopath and an ayurvedic doctor will be joining our team very soon.”

Ms Green said the project will also bring benefits to the local community and it is likely the investment will mean house prices will go up.

The company and its three directors will invite villagers to an open day in the New Year so they can see the development and ask any questions.

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