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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 17 May, 2012. 65p.
Report by Kathy Bailes
DEVELOPMENT PLAN CLEARS FINAL HURDLE
A unanimous decision over regeneration scheme
REGENERATION plans for shops, homes and restaurants in the centre of
Dover have cleared the final planning hurdle.
At a Dover District Council meeting last week the application for the
second part of the St James scheme was approved by an unanimous vote.
The first phase, for a 108-bed Travelodge hotel, telecommunications mast
and 10-metre LED screen at Woolcoomber and St James streets, was granted
permission in March.
Speaking to the planning committee last Thursday, council director of
community and development Mike Dawson said: “This is a very important
day in the Dover story. This is a major town-centre redevelopment we
have been trying to bring off for several years.
“We are in a double-dip recession yet we have developers willing to work
with us. It is a fantastic opportunity”
Proposals to regenerate the Dover Town Investment Zone (DTIZ) were first
mooted in 1997. Planning permission for a scheme with Asda as the anchor
tenant was granted in August 2009 but the superstore pulled out in March
2010 amid disagreements over design and car parking issues.
Laker Developments and architects Lyons Sleeman and Hoare then teamed up
with DDC and development partner Bond City to create a new design based
on the old street layout of the seafront site, coupled with a maritime
theme.
IMPRESSION: Above, how the Travelodge will look.
The revamped plans include a 4.5 metre flint “town wall,” 390-space car
park; public square with capability for 54 extra car places; eight shop
units backing on to Townwall Street; two larger retail units at St James
Street and Woolcomber Street; another five units between Dolphin Passage
and the "Castle Inn;" a restaurant backing on to the River Dour; eight
homes at the corner of Woolcomber and Castle streets; a kiosk at Flying
Horse Lane and a park area at King Street.
IMPRESSION: Above how the town wall could look.
There will also be a signal junction into the site from Woolcomber
Street, a new road across the site to a public square at Fishmonger's
Lane, new access to the site also at Woolcomber, traffic-calming
measures, and pedestrian routes into the Market Square and links to De
Bradelei Wharf.
Laker Developments chief John Laker said the unanimous vote would now
strengthen negotiations with retailers looking at taking on the units.
He said: “This is another piece in the jigsaw of getting it together and
making the scheme happen. We can now talk in much more detail to
retailers with, the confidence of planning permission behind us.
We can also move forward with
increased assurance that the redevelopment of this site will become a
reality. We are pleased with the decision and very pleased to be
involved with the town of Dover.”
Speakers at the meeting included Pat Sherratt, of the Dover Society, who
urged developers to use traditional materials on the eight-unit retail
block and DDC to consider using Section 215 orders to make owners of
rundown properties bordering the site bring them back to standard.
Ian Taylor, of the Kent branch of the Association of British Drivers,
said options for further widening of the A20, possibly with a third
feeder road, must be included in the scheme. He also raised concerns
about the lack of
long-term parking and the need for coordinated timing at the new
Woolcomber Street traffic lights.
Councillors were united in their backing for the scheme.
LONG WAIT: Above, planning approval has been granted for the DTIZ
scheme, here showing an artist's impression of the view from Flying
Horse Lane.
Amazing
Cllr Nick Kenton said: “It is amazing to have this ambitious and large
project in such challenging times. With a double-dip recession, we are
bumping along the bottom of the economy so it is nice to see such
support for Dover.”
His view was echoed by veteran councillor Bernard Butcher, who said:
“Dover will once again become a vibrant place to live in. This will
increase viability and employment."
Construction of the Travelodge is expected to start by the end of this
year and be complete in 2013. Masts will be moved to the hotel from Burlington House which is expected to be demolished next year.
Work on the second phase of the scheme is expected in the Autumn of
2013. First a period of time will be set aside for call-in options or
appeals.
There will also be a process for compulsory purchase orders to gain the
remaining land for this scheme, possibly taking up to 12 months, and an
eight-month period of access and street works which will see some road
closures and areas “stopped-up”.
Completion is expected in 2015.
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