Minutes:
§ Why can’t DDC’s Planning Committee be more flexible with new developments? Nadeem Aziz commented that sometimes planning mistakes have been made, for example Tesco at Whitfield had taken 50% of the retail spend away from Dover and a food retail anchor was now needed in the town. The Sea Change regeneration has specific criteria attached to it for projects that would not be affordable if DDC were to go it alone. Partnerships such as this are essential for the scale of regeneration required. It is important for the people of Dover to be positive about this regeneration and realize there can be constraints imposed upon planners who have to balance European and National legislation when making their decisions.
§ Are there safeguards in place for local people to secure employment with the new contracts that this regeneration will attract? DDC can require major house builders to encourage local apprenticeships, but they cannot override National and European legislation.
§ What money is available to protect heritage and conserve existing architecture? If money were made available to homeowners they could renovate listed buildings and make them more attractive. Plus some areas in Dover need cleaning up. In past years similar schemes have been in place but the take up has been very poor. This illustrates the problem, which is a combination of the community taking responsibility for its environment and the inability to spend on renovation when average earnings in Dover are below the SE average. The English Heritage projects will renovate our historical assets and make them work for their living. DDC is also in the process of procuring a new cleaning contractor which may solve some of the littering, but with increased aspiration in the local community from regeneration, this may resolve itself
§ When are the proposals for the seafront going to the Planning Committee? Amanda Lumley confirmed this would be 22 October 2009. The Dover Harbour Board is working closely with the designers to ensure the sustainability of the proposals.
§ The historical attractions are not linked up so how will visitors get around without a car? There are talks currently taking place between the National Trust and English Heritage to provide a footway between Bleriot and White Cliffs. Linkages are being explored but landowners will have to agree to any proposals put forward.
§ There could be better signage around Dover to enable people to navigate between attractions, perhaps looking to Sandwich as an example. The Town Council is looking into this and is encouraging Stagecoach to move some of the existing bus stops, plus providing a subsidy for an open top bus.
§ There is no bus service from the Market Square to the sea front and the underpass is unpleasant. The 15A is an hourly bus service that covers this area.
§ What happens after the money runs out in two to three years? The Make Dover partnership will use Sea Change projects as a catalyst to attract additional funding.
§ Is there a possibility of a department store in Dover? This is a commercial decision and currently the catchment area of 40,000 people may not be incentive enough. The Asda development could create an environment that is attractive to a department store and other commercial concerns, e.g. multiplex cinemas, but this type of development is only really possible within the context of a wider regeneration scheme.
§ Many people feel that the Promenade is acceptable and fear the Prince of Wales Pier will be lost as an amenity. Why not re-develop Shakespeare Beach and Admiral Pier? Dover Harbour Board (DHB) will build a new pier and the lighthouse and clock tower will be moved. Improvements have begun at Shakespeare Beach. But good connections are important for Dover and the new road crossing planned will be more pleasant than the underpass.