Guest 664- Registered: 23 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,039
3 February 2010
12:2739511#1
There are rumours circulating that a number of leading retailers (including Currys and PC World) have seen applications to locate at Whitfield turned down in order to defend the DTIZ development. Does anyone know if there is any truth in this?
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
3 February 2010
12:4539512#2
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 664- Registered: 23 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,039
3 February 2010
16:4739520#3
Thanks for pointing that out, Paul. I was not giving the forum my full attention around Xmas.
It seems like the longstanding problem has surfaced again: the constant tension between Whitfield and town centre retail development.
It seems to me there is a thread of real inconsistency with DDC strategic planning stretching back decades: well-meaning but not quite sure how much emphasis to give to Whitfield.
The scattering of retail strength is a problem all towns have to wrestle with and has been driven by the growth and massive power of ever bigger and more dominant supermarkets, wanting to locate outside town centres.
It began in Dover in the late 70s with Sainsbury's and Tesco a decade later totally let the genie out of the bottle.
The end result is that good offers have been turned down at Whitfield with the laudable aim of defending town centre retail. Yet others have been allowed, e.g. B&Q moving out, to no benefit except B&Q's.
The forthcoming Whitfield New Town will only heighten the pressure. It is all very well (and again very laudable) wanting to keep retail and residential separate. But it doesn't work like that.
Demand for retail development at Whitfield (which is is bound to intensify, as it will become more central within Dover, with easy access to roads, and could even hope to attract non-Dover shoppers) will increase the more houses are built there. It is surely the ideal spot for any large shop, locally.
I wonder if it is possible to support two vibrant retail districts. What to do? Write off the town centre and allow nature to take its course with Whitfield becoming ever more powerful?
I am coming round to the view that if ASDA do not come we should go with David H's proposal of a Brighton Lanes-style development. We need to think "destination": attract people and their money from out of town. ASDA will not do that.
The sooner DTIZ proceeds, the better. Then maybe those faced with the awkward dilemma of Dover v Whitfield will be less nervous about letting more shops go "up top" rather than miss out altogether.
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
3 February 2010
16:5139522#4
Andrew
I understand the development has been deferred, not kicked in touch. Roger Walkden said as much on the previous thread, I believe, and he should know - he's on the planning committee.
True friends stab you in the front.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
3 February 2010
17:1339529#5
this is a no win situation for the council especially the planning department.
the DTIZ is totally in limbo, the seafront and marina development is years into the future, the whitfield new town thing is reliant on whether developers want to build houses there.
i like the idea of a lanes style thing, but suspect that we would need many small businesses to commit to the idea.
normally everyone waits to see what others are going to do first.