25 April 2010
EXTRA: Have just uploaded the above plans by way of adding more information to this proposal (see below). Slight problem with them being pdf's but here we are nevertheless, a success of sorts. The one on the left clearly shows the overall plan with Townwall Street showing at the bottom end as it were, so take your bearing from there. Quite exciting isnt it to see a cinema and bowling alley catered for. To find out more come to tuesday's lunch - details following.
There is a Lunch at the Light of India Restaurant on Tuesday 27th April. Doverforum teamsters aim to be there, should be of wide interest to all, and the following feature which is a joint proposal from David Hannent and Derek Leach will be discussed. All welcome.
Time: 12 - 2pm
Place: Light of India Rest Townwall St.
Cost : £10 for Lunch and Seminar
Booking: yes advisable call 01304 210666
or email Mike McFarnell on
mmcfarnell@hotmail.com
The Light of India is an award winning restaurant so the lunch is very good value.
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Proposed Development on the St James Site
Site and Settings
The site is close to the town centre, bounded by the Castle Street Conservation Area on one side and by the Market Square and the river on another. Importantly, it is also beside a trunk road that attracts over 11 million vehicles per annum, in a town which has one of the most marketable names in the world and that is transited by people from all over the world. The site is level and has had extensive investigations for archaeological remains and contamination. Discussions about suitable development have been extensive and prolonged. The withdrawal of Asda has put the whole scheme into the melting pot, but also provides an opportunity.
The town needs this development to help regeneration as a body needs a heart. Dover is already adequately provided with supermarkets, especially with the recent addition of Morrisons. It would be a mistake to seek an alternative supermarket to Asda. Supermarkets do not attract out of town visitors prepared to spend money.
This town could and should attract visitors to enjoy the delights of Dover Castle, the Roman Painted House, Town Hall, Grand Shaft, St Edmund’s Chapel, the White Cliffs and the many varied events staged in the town. This would create an opportunity to provide additional business and investment in the town.
It is generally recognised that the following facilities are those needed:
1. Tourist bus parking.
2. Car parking for tourists.
3. A better quality of development to improve the area generally.
4. Town centre housing. This would create a different atmosphere in the centre of town, which is barren at present.
5. The opportunity for low level investment, not so much £100s of millions but figures much less than that.
6. Leisure activities, bowling etc.
7. Some open spaces and communal areas, for a market perhaps.
8. A respect for the ecology and the opportunity to develop an area with cohesion.
9. Most of all, what Dover needs is good quality shops in number.
10. Offices.
11. Public toilets.
In 2004 the Dover Society considered the general idea of Asda on this site or a 'lanes' type development. Without exception, all members at that meeting voted for the 'lanes' development. Now is the time to consider that option and look afresh at the DTIZ and what it could provide. It could provide all the above. Imagine signs on the A2 which say to passing vehicles, "Welcome to Dover, come in, park here for free and from that parking place you are immediately into the town centre". Which other town can say that about their by-pass. The free parking could be for 1 hour and once you have the tourists in, they must be offered an experience that will bring them back.
What should the DTIZ comprise?
Much needed leisure activities, such as a modest sized bowling alley (Canterbury has just opened one next to Blockbusters in New Dover Road) and possibly a maritime museum.
Open areas for sitting and having picnics with plenty of parking, including parking for coaches/buses to bring loads of tourists into Dover and then up to the castle by cable car, bus shuttle or any other means.
Hotels, department stores and, more importantly, a 'lanes' development in the way of Brighton where there are alleyways with shops, cafés, boutiques and quality suppliers, serviced in a modern way with vehicle access to all stores. These ground floor stores could be financed by dwellings above.
The adjoining Castle Street has four storey buildings and at The Gateway there are seven to ten storey buildings. A mixed, multi-level development on this site would be both exciting and form a core for this town from which the areas around would benefit. It would also mean less loss of greenfield sites to provide the necessary homes. Developments have been carried out in Folkestone near the seafront whereby international investors would welcome the opportunity to buy flats on a site which is one hour from London and sits by the sea with a connection to mainland Europe.
The area now has been investigated, prodded and reported upon ad infinitum. By now, it should be possible to put on paper a scheme which respects the area but provides not only more than adequate parking for future expansion and tourist coaches but also allows access to all the properties for servicing.
The history of Dover shows that there used to be lanes there. Around Russell Street, Dolphin Lane and St James' Street were St James' Passage, Crown Court, Townwall Passage, St James' Lane, St Margaret's Place, Fector's Place, Taverner's Lane and Arthur's Place. We could bring these names back and provide an environment in which, with a large population sitting right on top of it, it would be well used, protected and controlled, but would provide an attraction akin to Rye, Bluewater and Brighton, making use of the investment in the high speed train
Why is Dover so backward in coming forward with an idea like this? The answer usually given is money; well, that doesn't have to be the stopper. The idea of Asda and a lead developer created its own problem, blighting the area for years. Developers that have been to Dover in the past 6 years have turned their backs and walked away because there was no spare space. There is this space, a large site capable of multi-level development in a sympathetic and constructive way, which would allow investment in smaller packages by everyone whether local, national or international. What is needed is the proper vision. What is needed is a Master Plan.
With the proposed development of Dover’s Western Docks, investment in the DTIZ should be welcomed, linked by the proposed land bridge and possible new development at the end of Bench Street.
All that we need is the vision of Dover and the Dover people to be brought to bear on the issue, not by out of town consultants imposing their opinions.
D Hannent
