Work Begins On Site Preparing For Town Centre Regeneration

Ground breaking regeneration work for the future of the district has begun on site with a look at the past - as initial archaeological survey work is launched for the massive multi million pound regeneration of Dover Town Centre.

An expert team has started work at the St James's site, with initial archaeological surveys, soil investigations and specialist geotechnical studies. The work is being carried out on behalf of Bond City and Asda.

This follows the agreement of DDC's Cabinet to undertake legal processes to enable the development to move forward, and comes as major progress continues to be made on this key development. The Charringtons site and Dolphin House have been acquired and the new Stagecoach depot at Whitfield is due to open shortly, freeing the old Russell Street depot for demolition. This all follows close work between DDC and other Dover Pride partners, including South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and English Partnerships.

The major development includes a 85,000 square ft store, with additional shop 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.

Cllr Frederick Scales, Cabinet Member for Economy and Special Projects, said: "This is a very exciting step as this look at the past represents the start of work on site to realize this pivotal site in delivering Dover's first phase of major regeneration. We continue to work closely with all our partners on this key site, and once this survey work is completed, the next step will see the demolition of the former bus depot."

Richard Lawrence, Dover Pride Programme Manager 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."