Western Heights and Farthingloe developments progress

Dover District Council Planning Committee last night resolved to approve the planning application for Western Heights and Farthingloe. The approval was subject to a range of conditions, and to a holding direction issued by the Secretary of State preventing the Council from issuing any decision until such time as he has decided whether or not to call the application in for his determination.

The application was for a number of development proposals as part of a comprehensive scheme for the area. This includes proposals for:

• A 130 bed hotel and conference centre at the Western Heights
• Conversion of the Drop Redoubt to a Museum/Visitor Centre
• Up to 31 residential units and the conversion of an existing building to 9 units at the Western Heights
• Up to 521 residential units, up to 90 apartment retirement village, a health facility, conversion of a thatched barn to a pub/restaurant, conversion of a stable block to a retail shop, conversion of a farmhouse to bed and breakfast at Farthingloe.

The development also provides £5m for improvements at the Drop Redoubt, and includes provision for the phasing of development, and legal agreements covering infrastructure to support the development and other matters.

Cllr Frederick Scales, Chairman of the Planning Committee, said: "The Committee gave extensive consideration through a lengthy and thorough report to all issues raised, and concluded that the economic and heritage benefits to Dover and East Kent outweighed other considerations that were raised regarding the application."

Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council, said: "This is a very significant decision for the area. This application is the result of an extensive process of consultation by the developers over a number of years, and represents a huge measure of confidence in Dover and East Kent, coming at a very important time for the area, given the wider economic challenges at this time."