Work Set To Begin On Site For Dover Town Centre Regeneration

Work is set to begin on site for the multi pound regeneration of Dover Town Centre by the end of the month, with soil investigations and archaeological studies scheduled - and the demolition of the Russell Street Stagecoach depot likely by the end of May.

This follows the agreement of Dover District Council's Cabinet yesterday to take legal steps to acquire land needed for this pivotal redevelopment.

Cabinet resolved that, subject to prior completion of an indemnity agreement with the developer (Bond City), the Council makes a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for land within the redevelopment area. The making of a CPO is a statutory procedure that will allow the Council to compulsorily acquire land required for development. The Head of Regeneration has been authorised, subject to relevant committee procedures, to take all necessary steps to move this redevelopment forward.

Major progress continues to be made on this key regeneration project, which could bring more than 500 jobs to the area. Plans were submitted by developer Bond City and food giant Asda, and approved by planners in 2007. The development includes a 85,000 square foot store, with 35,000 square foot of additional shop and restaurant space, a 100 bedroom hotel, 53 affordable homes and a new 600 space car park.

Through its appointment of Bond/Asda and arrangements with the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), DDC has been able to make progress, including the acquisition of the Charringtons site, Dolphin House and the Stagecoach depot at Russell Street. The new Stagecoach depot at Whitfield is progressing, and Stagecoach will be moving to their new site shortly, which will then mean DDC will be able to demolish the old Russell Street depot.

Cllr Frederick Scales, Cabinet Member for Economy and Special Projects, said: "This pivotal site in delivering Dover's first phase of major regeneration projects is making great progress. Although we would prefer to acquire any outstanding land by negotiation and agreement, and we continue to do that, we need to make a Compulsory Purchase Order, and it was important to make this decision. We look forward to moving on with this key regeneration and to seeing work starting later this month."