Major Regeneration Begins..say DDC.
- 22 September 2008 17:216423DDC PRESS RELEASE ******
.........
WHEELS IN MOTION FOR MAJOR REGENERATION - DEMOLITION WORK BEGINS FOR FORMER DEPOT SITE
Ground breaking regeneration work for the future of the district is taking place as work begins on site today for the demolition of the former Stagecoach depot in Russell Street, as part of the massive multi million pound redevelopment of Dover Town Centre.
A team of experts has started work on the site and is now carrying out preparatory work for the former bus depot to be demolished. The new Stagecoach depot at Whitfield opened earlier this year, freeing the old Russell Street site. The demolition work is being led by Dover District Council, in liaison with the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA). This represents the first major demolition project for the St James's redevelopment and clears the way for this exciting and pivotal regeneration.
The St James's redevelopment includes a new Asda Superstore, with additional retail outlets and restaurant space, a 100 bedroom hotel, 53 affordable homes and a 600 space car park. Plans for the site, which could bring more than 500 jobs to the area, were submitted by developer Bond City and Asda, and approved by planners last year.
Far reaching work on the Dover Town Investment Zone site follows close work between DDC and other Dover Pride partners, including SEEDA, English Partnerships and KCC. Further major archaeological work will also be taking place in the area in the near future.
Cllr Frederick Scales, DDC Cabinet Member for Economy and Special Projects, said: "The start of demolition work is a very exciting and significant step. Although it has sometimes seemed a long and arduous process, we are delighted to see wheels in motion at this key site, and to see this progress on the ground, clearing the way to realize this pivotal site in delivering major regeneration for the area."
Cllr Nigel Collor, DDC Cabinet Member for Access and Property Management, said: "We are very pleased to see things moving at this important location. This comes as a range of exciting developments are being brought together across the area, and we continue to work closely with all our partners on this key site, and across the district, for a world-class future."
Anne Knight, Dover Pride Programme Director said: "The partnership is committed to the renaissance of the town and the DTIZ project will be a catalyst for further investment bringing about a positive change for the people of Dover."
- ends -email: dover7@msn.com - 22 September 2008 17:466426
"Its gotta all come down!" motions Frederick Scales.
Action at last and thats really good news for all the people living in and around central Dover who have had to deal with this horrible area on a daily basis.
Ah! so thats where Anne Knight got to.... see above quotes.email: dover7@msn.com - 22 September 2008 17:506427A big hammer will do it Been nice knowing you :)
- 22 September 2008 18:126428A step forward or the creation of another empty space? We keep hearing of the supposed wonders of the new developments and the jobs it will create but nobody is talking to those who currently have businesses there (such as Light of India) and when I spoke to the Asda representatives they admitted that the bulk of the wonderful new jobs, approximately 350 out of the 400 they will provide, will be part time only. Hardly an advertisement for selling the new houses they want to build if you are saying that people should Move their families to Dover so that their children can look forward to filling shelves at Asda while searching for a bedsit they can afford. If the idea of a local income tax goes ahead we can look forward to even less money being spent on the town as the bulk will be needed to pay out top-up benefits or be cut by those moving elsewhere to look for career prospects.Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour - 22 September 2008 18:536430But Chris we have gotta go positive on this now at this point. 500 jobs according to the Press Release and it doesnt really matter if some are part-time..its still more jobs and massively welcome they are. We got new shops , new restaurant( maybe even the Light of India could take the lease), new homes, new hotel, ..this will all bring people in to the benefit of all local businesses..then on top of that you have bargain busting ASDA, savings we can all use in these hard times.
There is a lot to be positive about. Look at whats there now and visualise...vive le difference!email: dover7@msn.com - 22 September 2008 19:216431Nope. Still see a big block that potential visitors are going to drive past saying, "oh look Dover's got a supermarket". And its still not 'some part-time' but the bulk will be part-time and Asda prides itself on keeping costs down, especially wages, and are dedicated to undercutting all local competition so it does not take much to imagine what that will do to our already struggling shops, including Smiths and Woolworths. Just see how many are already closing or on the verge of doing so, and has anyone heard of anyone expressing interest in the retail units planned to surround it?Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour - 22 September 2008 19:286432what a surprise to see a photo with mr scales in!!
must have been february that he said exactly the same thing about the same building in another photo opportunity.
i loved the comment from dover pride, all the usual platitudes that mean nothing.
i do sincerely hope that work does start though. - 22 September 2008 20:166434As I have said time after time nothing will be put there till Burtington house comes down and that will not be for about six years or more.
Vic Matcham - 22 September 2008 20:416439just been looking at that pic again.
mr scales appears to be pointinng and saying that the building is going to be demolished, and the bloke opposite is nearly wetting himself with laughter, whilst selecting his horses for the day from the paper. - 22 September 2008 21:326442"As I have said time after time nothing will be put there till Burtington house comes down and that will not be for about six years or more.
Vic Matcham"
No wonder things don't happen in Dover when you have people who are/want to be councillors are seeing the negative in things all the time...... I know that the Western Heights aren't suddenly going to be given £millions, but I see the potential and that small steps can be made towards something in the future. The bus station and multi-story coming down are a step in the right direction to a site that has mainly been derelict for 60 years....
Same with DHB, they need to develop further capacity else it will rapidly go down hill if it cannot cope with the volume of traffic that is bomarding it. The Western Docks require £££££££££££££££££££ and if people don't want to privatise part of it, or make savings by oursourcing then how is it going to get the £££££££££££££££££ that it needs ??????????????????????????????????????Been nice knowing you :) - 23 September 2008 07:366450I agree with you there Scotchie.
My glasses might be rose tinted but I cant see anything negative with this at all. Let me go thru it again and see if I can spot anything bad...
1. New 100 bed hotel bringing in thousands of visitors into the immediate area and spending.
2. New 53 homes bringing in families full of life and spending power into the immediate area.
3. New retail shops offering opportunities to enterpreneurs feeding from the ASDA spillover.More wealth creation.
4. New restaurant with exciting possibilities.
5. New superstore offering unparalled bargain prices to local people. Thousands will visit bringing regurgitated life to the immediate local pubs restaurants and shops - they could be in for a windfall.
Added to the above mix lots of jobs that will suit mums, school leavers, older peeps and so on. May not be at aeronautical engineer level but that wasnt happening anyway.
Also an end to inner town delapidation. No - cant see anything negative there.
email: dover7@msn.com - 23 September 2008 09:256459You are right PaulB. This development may not be all that we would ideally want, but the alternative would be a derelict site for many more years, perhaps decades, and we may never get all we want.
Great to hear that vthe work is starting.
And, yes, well said Paul aka Scotchie.... - 23 September 2008 10:386462Ok. Not trying to be negative here, just realistic.
Paul:-
1. There is already a hotel there.
2. There are already more than 53 empty properties in the town.
3. Does anyone need to count the empty shops?
4. Light of India, great food and awards all over the place.
5. Tesco, Aldi, Netto, Somerfield (soon to be Co-op) or an Asda that, speak to anyone that uses the one in Canterbury, people drive to, do their shopping and then drive home from. Can the roads here cope with that.
Steps forward are needed and DDC (and others) should be looking at the small steps that are affordable and could be taken now, such as encouraging tourism by cleaning up and publicising our great heretige, getting empty and derelict properties cleaned up, taking measures to protect and preserve our streets and open spaces. The list goes on.Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour - 23 September 2008 11:116463Hullo Chris,
DDC already looking at Street Scene ,Nigel is the one who is on that Committee.I deal with Empty Properties Asda will draw people back from Tesco,who very conventiently withdrew the Free Bus .I think more elederly people without cars will be drawn to Asda.
This will be a new look Hotel.Housing affordable ,maybe some of our current tenants will be drawn to the town centre??Maybe some of our eating outlets could do more to attract visitors.I dont mean a toasted sandwich threwn on a plate.A little bit of old world charm .I went to Hythe on Friday they know how to tempt the visitors .Lots of gift shops and good restraunts,Why do we have to have chairs outside of cafes everywhere??What happened to SMILE? - 23 September 2008 14:096466I don't think I would stay at the current hotel if someone paid me
Been nice knowing you :) - 23 September 2008 14:426468Sue having a more continental street scene with outside seating is a real bonus to the town. No doubt some will say the smoking ban has something to do with it but it is of benefit to more than just smokers.
- 23 September 2008 17:216480At least lets be up beat about something the garage today thats a start and hopefully not to soon more will follow
- 23 September 2008 17:306482I think we should run a caption quiz for the above,excellent ,photo.
Man pointing ''Perhaps we can run the cable car from that corner of the shed to the castle?''
Man pointing ''There's no need to consult that map... Blakes Wine Bar is over there! isn't it Nigel''
They all laugh in agreement.Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter) - 23 September 2008 20:466498I am not negativejust telling you that Burlington house will not come down for six years love to see it happen but it will not happen even if the D,D,C, tell all of you it will be coming down soon,tht will not be true it is staying put for six years or more
That is true.
Vic Matcham - 23 September 2008 21:376503Sue. The elderly and those without cars still more likely to go for Somerfields free home delivery or Tesco's for internet orders (Asda'a do not offer one) so the Asda customers will be those intending to drive there, load up and drive away. People are more likely to think about 'moving into the town centre' when DDC realises that the current business rates are far to high for any new firm and starts offering incentives, something they can do on the centraly set rates. Seating outside Barry has already answered and I would only add that it has been done for years in other parts of the country (even before the smoking ban) because customers like it. For the answer to lots of gift shops and eateries see previous answer.Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
