The Front Page. - Copy 233(Pfizer - the fightback)
12 February 2012
Following on from the DDC Pfizer announcement shown below and the item about Laura Sandys MP...here is a statement from MP Laura Sandys herself.... just in ..( Laura is MP for Thanet South. Pfizer is in her constituency).
Pfizer -
Government’s response to the Pfizer closure announcement
“It was a really dark day for my constituents a year ago when Pfizer announced their exit and I have fought tirelessly to ensure that we have got the support from Government that we need to deal with this shock to the community.
From day one we had the Prime Minister’s support, and were able to establish the Sandwich Taskforce working at the heart of Government. In the last year the Taskforce has been able to galvanise all parts of Government and has knocked on the door of every Minister that could assist us. One year on, we have secured from Government Enterprise Zone status, £40million Regional Growth Fund, high speed rail services, flood defence funding and immediate start-up grants for new businesses.
While there are still staff who have not found jobs and companies in the area who were reliant on Pfizer, almost 1000 jobs are now secure and a new buyer for the site is in final negotiations. What seemed like a disastrous day a year ago looks a lot more promising. There is much more to do but we are on track and have demonstrated that Thanet and Sandwich have an economic future worth investing in and a skills-base that is attractive to any employer.”
-ENDS-
Picture shows the 'galvanising' and productive Sandwich Taskforce. Some very familiar big league faces there.
Many thanks to Laura Sandys.
* *
Following news that London and Metropolitan are Pfizer’s preferred bidder for its site in Sandwich, Dover District Council is working with them and a range of partners to see how simplified planning rules can support investment and growth for the future.
DDC is now working with partners including: businesses located in the Enterprise Zone; Kent County Council; the Environment Agency; English Heritage; Natural England; Locate in Kent; Business Link; Thanet District Council; and Sandwich Town Council.
The Pfizer site, which has been renamed Discovery Park, has been designated as an Enterprise Zone by the Government. The planning tool for simplifying the planning procedures in an Enterprise Zone is a Local Development Order (LDO). The exact details about what the LDO will include and how it will operate are currently being brought together by the District Council.
The aims of the LDO would include: to remove the need to make planning applications for certain types of development on the site; to provide a clear framework for business development, making it easier to achieve economic growth; and to cover change of uses without the need for planning
permission, but it can not remove the need for other consents (eg building regulations). Development proposals falling outside the order would have to apply for planning permission in the normal way.
Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council pictured left said:
“The preparation of the LDO is the next stage in the process, and builds on the excellent work that has already been undertaken by the Sandwich Economic Development Task Force to designate the site as an Enterprise Zone. DDC is pleased to hear that Pfizer has a preferred bidder for the site, and we look forward to working with London and Metropolitan, and a range of organisations to simplify the planning procedures. We will be consulting fully on the draft LDO so that everyone can have their say for the future of the whole area.” 
Pictured left is the MP for Thanet South Laura Sandys..Pfizer is in Laura's constituency and she has been at the forefront of the calls for help for the area following that fatal Pfizer announcement last year.
Last week she said the following in the House of Commons... (1 February 2012)
Laura Sandys: Thank you, Mr Speaker. A year ago, I asked the Prime Minister for help when the announcement was made of the Pfizer closure in Sandwich. Does he agree that the support and help from his Ministers, which delivered us an enterprise zone and £40 million for jobs in east Kent, have ensured that we are still a leading centre for life sciences?
Also in the picture left is Sir Roger Gale (seen lower left), the recently knighted and well known MP for Thanet North. * *
Very Low Tide at Sunrise on Saturday Morning Dover Harbour.
Not many have seen the huge area of vegetation that lurks below the tide. But when that tide is very very low..much lower than usual as it was on saturday morning, this undersea world reveals itself. It instantly becomes a feeding ground for birds and as you can see here, has its own kind of beauty. It also revealed yesterday.. a natural paddling pool...of sorts! More features coming shortly.
Previous features can now be found in All Recent Features...see menu left.
Following on from the DDC Pfizer announcement shown below and the item about Laura Sandys MP...here is a statement from MP Laura Sandys herself.... just in ..( Laura is MP for Thanet South. Pfizer is in her constituency).Pfizer -
one year on!
Government’s response to the Pfizer closure announcement
“It was a really dark day for my constituents a year ago when Pfizer announced their exit and I have fought tirelessly to ensure that we have got the support from
From day one we had the Prime Minister’s support, and were able to establish the Sandwich Taskforce working at the heart of Government. In the last year the Taskforce has been able to galvanise all parts of Government and has knocked on the door of every Minister that could assist us. One year on, we have secured from Government Enterprise Zone status, £40million Regional Growth Fund, high speed rail services, flood defence funding and immediate start-up grants for new businesses.
While there are still staff who have not found jobs and companies in the area who were reliant on Pfizer, almost 1000 jobs are now secure and a new buyer for the site is in final negotiations. What seemed like a disastrous day a year ago looks a lot more promising. There is much more to do but we are on track and have demonstrated that Thanet and Sandwich have an economic future worth investing in and a skills-base that is attractive to any employer.”
-ENDS-
Picture shows the 'galvanising' and productive Sandwich Taskforce. Some very familiar big league faces there.
Many thanks to Laura Sandys.
* *
SIMPLIFYING PLANNING RULES for the PFIZER SITE
Following news that London and Metropolitan are Pfizer’s preferred bidder for its site in Sandwich, Dover District Council is working with them and a range of partners to see how simplified planning rules can support investment and growth for the future.
DDC is now working with partners including: businesses located in the Enterprise Zone; Kent County Council; the Environment Agency; English Heritage; Natural England; Locate in Kent; Business Link; Thanet District Council; and Sandwich Town Council.
The Pfizer site, which has been renamed Discovery Park, has been designated as an Enterprise Zone by the Government. The planning tool for simplifying the planning procedures in an Enterprise Zone is a Local Development Order (LDO). The exact details about what the LDO will include and how it will operate are currently being brought together by the District Council.
The aims of the LDO would include: to remove the need to make planning applications for certain types of development on the site; to provide a clear framework for business development, making it easier to achieve economic growth; and to cover change of uses without the need for planning
permission, but it can not remove the need for other consents (eg building regulations). Development proposals falling outside the order would have to apply for planning permission in the normal way.Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council pictured left said:
“The preparation of the LDO is the next stage in the process, and builds on the excellent work that has already been undertaken by the Sandwich Economic Development Task Force to designate the site as an Enterprise Zone. DDC is pleased to hear that Pfizer has a preferred bidder for the site, and we look forward to working with London and Metropolitan, and a range of organisations to simplify the planning procedures. We will be consulting fully on the draft LDO so that everyone can have their say for the future of the whole area.”
Pictured left is the MP for Thanet South Laura Sandys..Pfizer is in Laura's constituency and she has been at the forefront of the calls for help for the area following that fatal Pfizer announcement last year.Last week she said the following in the House of Commons... (1 February 2012)
Laura Sandys: Thank you, Mr Speaker. A year ago, I asked the Prime Minister for help when the announcement was made of the Pfizer closure in Sandwich. Does he agree that the support and help from his Ministers, which delivered us an enterprise zone and £40 million for jobs in east Kent, have ensured that we are still a leading centre for life sciences?
Also in the picture left is Sir Roger Gale (seen lower left), the recently knighted and well known MP for Thanet North.
Very Low Tide at Sunrise on Saturday Morning Dover Harbour.
Not many have seen the huge area of vegetation that lurks below the tide. But when that tide is very very low..much lower than usual as it was on saturday morning, this undersea world reveals itself. It instantly becomes a feeding ground for birds and as you can see here, has its own kind of beauty. It also revealed yesterday.. a natural paddling pool...of sorts! More features coming shortly.
Previous features can now be found in All Recent Features...see menu left.