Heir to the Lush cosmetics fortune applies to turn his ‘secret’ 140-year-old country estate garden into an eco-friendly plot complete with compostable toilet

• Lush boss Simon Constantine applies to build eco-teaching destination in the ‘secret garden’ of his estate
• He wants to use Carey House near Wareham in Dorset to teach biodiversity and sustainable horticulture
• The soap boss has lodged plans with Dorset Council for the garden – discovered last year behind locked gate 

Lush tycoon Simon Constantine has applied to turn the ‘secret garden’ he discovered at his historic house into an eco-friendly and educational tourist destination.

The soap boss has lodged plans with Dorset Council to use Carey House near Wareham as a hub to teach about biodiversity and sustainable horticulture.

Plans also include a new timber storage space, a compostable toilet and show that he hopes to flog refreshments and plants.

It comes a year after the businessman, whose parents set up the cosmetics giant, discovered a ‘secret garden’ behind a locked gate while exploring the grounds with his children at the Dorset country home.

The overgrown paradise had been untouched for more than 40 years – just like the Secret Garden in the story by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

The 3.5 acre plot originally provided the estate and local community with fresh fruit, flowers and vegetables when it was first created 140 years ago. It is thought that it was last used and tended to in the 1970s, and became a rambling wilderness of long grass and brambles with the brick walls covered in ivy in the subsequent five decades.

Simon Constantine was astounded when he and his children went off exploring the grounds of Carey House near Wareham, Dorset and found the ‘lost’ walled garden behind a padlocked gate

He has applied to build an eco-teaching tourist and educational destination – revealing the new use for the secret garden he discovered last year

Planning documents show his idea for the barn elevation – he has submitted his application with Dorset Council

Details for a gardeners shed – pencil drawings reveal ideas for the architecture in the grounds of Carey House

There are also plans for a compostable toilet – it will be wheelchair accessible and the exterior will be in heat-treated pine

The site layout shows where the compostable toilet will be in relation to the existing wall garden and entrance to the secret garden

Despite the ecological aims of the new project it is not likely to affect a protected or priority conservation species

Any important habitats, other biodiversity features or features of geological conservation importance will also not be affected

The development is described as: ‘Erection of timber storage shed within walled garden, use of existing barn for educational purposes associated with biodiversity and sustainable horticulture, erection of compostable toilet, use of existing building for refreshments and plant sales’

When they cleared the garden they found abandoned outbuildings and empty beer bottles dating from the 1970s and Constantine said he planned to replant it using drone photos.

But now the sweet-smelling businessman has revealed the new use for his rediscovered paradise.

The development is described as: ‘Erection of timber storage shed within walled garden, use of existing barn for educational purposes associated with biodiversity and sustainable horticulture, erection of compostable toilet, use of existing building for refreshments and plant sales.’

A further planning document explains: ‘The proposals will help retain and safeguard the garden in its original and intended use after years of disrepair which have been ended with the creation of the Carey’s Secret Garden.

Picture of a refreshment area – he plans to flog refreshments as well as plants. The plot originally provided the estate and local community with fresh fruit, flowers and vegetables when it was first created 140 years ago

The existing barn is pictured. The Grade II listed building is set to retain its 19 car parking spaces and add a further five cycle spots

‘The proposals will result in modest additions to the garden with the new gardener’s shed and compost toilet, whilst re-purposing of the two small ‘bothies’ in the wall will help fulfil the garden’s sustainable operation.

‘The re-use of the existing barn for educational purposes will help fulfil the garden’s sustainable operation.’

The Grade II listed building is set to retain its 19 car parking spaces and add a further five cycle spots.

External walls for the storage barn, which will be 30 square metres, will be horizontal timber cladding to match the existing walls.

Simon Constantine and his children went off exploring the grounds of Carey House near Wareham and found the ‘lost’ walled garden

Simon Constantine was astounded when he and his children went off exploring the grounds of Carey House near Wareham and found the ‘lost’ walled garden behind a padlocked gate

The Carey Secret Garden before its transformation from a forgotten piece of land into a stunning tourist attraction

Head gardener Paul Scriven pictured with his dog Finn in a 3.5 acre walled garden in Wareham, Dorset

Gardener Daniel Smith in the herb garden in Wareham, Dorset, found by the owners of Carey House

Head gardener Paul Scriven in the rose garden in Wareham, Dorset, found by the owners of Carey House 

The 3.5 acre plot was built 140 years ago and at one stage would have provided both the estate and the wider community with fresh fruit, vegetables and cut flowers

An aerial view of gardener Daniel Smith in the herb garden in the Carey Secret Garden in Wareham, Dorset

But despite the ecological aims of the new project it is not likely to affect a protected or priority conservation species, any important habitats, other biodiversity features or features of geological conservation importance.

The compostable toilet will be wheelchair accessible and the exterior will be in heat-treated pine.

The site employs two full time staff, two full time apprentices and a part time project manager.

It is currently open for pre-arranged visits by local groups, charities and nature conservation organisations.

Daily visitor numbers are capped at 50 and it is occasionally open on a Sunday.

Courses of up to 14 are also offered with a focus of connecting people with nature and to foster a care for the environment.

Lush was founded in 1995 by Simon’s dad Mark and his mother Mo, along with others. It now has more than 950 stores worldwide.

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