howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
pressed send too soon, you then look at the sports ground which could be home to many sports pitches.
as we all know drop redoubt road is a popular dumping ground because of its quiet location and i believe the area around st martin's battery is home to some unsavoury behaviour for the same reason.
some sort of development is desperately required to save this area for the nation.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,657
"unless a Roger de Hann comes out of the woodwork"
I am going to have a bash at the Euromillions tomorrow, if I win the jackpot I promise a substantial donation.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Thats the spirit Jan , mind you its my turn to win
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,657
I am not adverse to sharing it with you Sarah, I am not greedy
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,572
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
Having looked at the plans and spoken with CGI a few times I must say that I like the plans on the whole and care has been taken to be sensitive to the skyline. The glass lift is just a suggestion and the cable care is a DDC dream, nothing to do with CGI. CGI have tried to engage the public in consultations and have been to see the residents of Knights Templar with an offer to put something in their square should they want it (there was nothing they did). There will still be playing fields in the area, just not necessarily where it is now. Paul will confirm that they are happy to negotiate with the WHPS on preserving the greater part of the Western Heights and help with improvements where they can.
The National War Memorial is a separate issue (not a part of CGI's plans) and is an important part of respecting this countries heritage. The site was formally barracks and a hospital (and a gym) which have all been demolished (at the time for DDC plans for a housing estate). It has been well mapped and documented. The Memorial is, in my view, an excellent design that will be tasteful to those commemorated, be a worthy addition to the site and provide an unobtrusive but memorable site from the channel. It will also attract very many more visitors to the Western Heights and, by extension, the town.
The whole development will create up to 570 new jobs for the town, by comparison the DTIZ is replacing one hotel with another and offering shop space most likely to be taken up by retailers already operating in the town so will actually create very few 'new' jobs.
I always had the greatest respect for Richard but I am sure we would have had more than a few interesting arguments over this one. The citadel area will not be affected.
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
Guest 750- Registered: 12 Apr 2012
- Posts: 72
I see that there are many varied views on this subject. Yes I am Dick Pimbletts eldest Daughter and I do represent my family and their views on this, and yes I am sure that there would be a great may arguments led by Dad regarding this development and is a shame that he is not here to fight himself, however I am.
I do agree that if nothing is done, what is left up there in the way of historical significance will continue to disappear, my main arguments surround the building of dwellings on the site. in hindsight there should be no residential dwellings up there, the ones already built have shallow foundations in order to compensate for the incompatible building terrain.
It would also be nice if the current owners did 'tidy up the land' or rebuild the fire damaged building, (which again could be an income generation project - White Wedings on the White Cliffs?) however, part of the pleasure of living up there is the wilderness feel and the natural habitat - how many see families of pheasant grazing on their lawns most mornings?
But at the end of the day you cannot ignore the fact that the WHOLE area is a scheduled ancient monument, which seems to be the mainpoint that is overlooked. There are other ways of promoting the area, more sympathetic ideas that will enhance the Western Heights, to me is a simple case of 'buy land - build houses - make money'
I have spoken and have been in close contact with CGI and am fully aware of their views, so nothing I am saying is uninformed or just to be difficult - I have a passion about the area, am bemused that English Heritage are neglecting their duty in investing one of their properties and feel that more can be done as a community to promote the Heights.
I am happy to join WHPS as I am not just someone who fires of emails or opinions, but someone who is willing to work on improving the area in whatever capacity.
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,225
Seems to me there is a consensus for development & investment at the Western Hts., provided it is done sensitively & respects the Ancient Monuments. The trick is to get the right balance that pays for the improvements that make a difference.
English Heritage are the key and they should come off the fence and state their bottom line, otherwise this is an opportunity lost.
The housing pays for access and Ancient Monument improvements/upgrades.
Watty
Guest 745- Registered: 27 Mar 2012
- Posts: 3,370
Just got back from the pub so feeling creative
Disney land UK on one side.
And on the other side above the docks, tunnels going up to the land on top of the cliffs expand the docks,
Thinking jobs
The houses are being expanded in Whitfield but no job creation.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
I am resident on Western Heights, at the very base of the Heights at any rate, and go up there daily to get to town by way of the Christchurch steps.
My full support for the residents of Bradden, whose village is in danger of mass urbanisation, a selling off of the Heights in order to get some money that supposedly would regenerate the area??? Sorry! No understand! This is ridiculous to say the least.
With hundreds of new houses we'd have hundreds more cars transiting daily along Military Road. I don't know if anyone who says they are competent on the area actually realises how dangerous Military Road would be, with all its curves, for people walking along the Heights.
Try crossing over the road, it's just sheer guess work. All you know is that traffic is not common, so you cross. There would be fatal accidents galore once DDC converted the area into another mad building scheme..
Of-course they won't consult the residents, see Whitfield and Sholden. What DDC calls consultation is just to impose an already made decision!!!
Can someone explain to me how the building of houses there would create funds for the upkeep of the moats and barracks??? This is sheer fantasy! One has NOTHING to do with the other in the most absolute sense.
And does anyone think that by building hundreds of houses there, local residents will go out and guard the lower part of Military Road - Saint John Ambulance - Jehova's Witnesses area - against fly-tippers? Do me a favour! There are houses there, but fly-tipping goes on all the same.
If you want to stop fly tipping, place a warden there, with powers to make fines! Works out much cheaper.
If you want to repair a moat wall, just repair it, don't build hundreds of houses. What reasoning is that, to mass urbanise to keep up a moat wall???
If you want to repair a disused barrack, just repair it! Does anyone in their right mind believe that building hundreds of dwellings will magically regenerate a disused barrack???
Am I missing something?
I know the area off by heart, used to roam around there as a lad, picking black-berries, playing with my mates in abandoned allotments, raiding abandoned apple orchards...but the only vandalism consists in graffiti on metal doors in the moats.
I mean... as a decorator, I say... just give these doors a paint over once in a blue moon!
Doesn't take more than 20 minutes.
As for this war memorial thing, I'd rather see a monument to all British sailors who sailed the seas. To those who sailed to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India, the Far East.
I brought this proposal up on the Forum before.
No-one in Britain has ever made a memorial to the centuries of English and British sailors, many of whom suffered terribly too for their work.
In contrast, war memorials to commemorate wars with the Germans are found all over Britain.
We must move on! Are we still at war with Germany or what???
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Adding to my last post, I will state that this war memorial business is a waste of space and a mania. All the more so when considering that Western Heights is to some extant a memorial to the Napoleonic wars with the French, and yet Dover meanwhile is twinned with Calais.
One doesn't see it written anywhere in Dover, but at least in Calais one does!
I thought we were supposed to be friends with the French and the Germans.
Can we MOVE ON, please! I'm fed-up with this war-mania!
I'd rather see a few community orchards up there, to blend in, where young local people can go and learn how to plant some trees and tend to them.
And may I sate one more thing!
A certain war against France, which led to the siege of Calais, saw the people of Calais having to consign hostages to the English king who claimed the throne of La France (damned aristocrats!). It is a big theme in the popular history of Calais.
Well, these poor hostages had the plague among them, they were kept in Dover, and the plague broke out and wiped out ALL of the inhabitants of Bradden! To the last poor soul!
Now put THAT up as a memorial on Western Heights! It would be more befitting!
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,572
alexander;
you post some interesting thoughts,
although i understand concerns of local residents one of the local cllrs and forumite
(chris p) appears totaly relaxed about the developement.
There are informed views and concerned locals.
not so sure the views from one poster from bradden is in favour of any developement .
this will run and run
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
alex
a war memorial is just that, not a dig at other nations but a reminder of people who lost their lives in defence of their country.
Guest 744- Registered: 20 Mar 2012
- Posts: 412
Very innovative Keith.
Was that your letter in the KG this week commenting on The Marlowe? If it was you, I agree with everything you said. Perhaps a venue similar to the Marlowe but much larger could be included in your Disneyland UK.
Did you used to work in the Yew Tree at Barfrestone?
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,572
carole
theres 2 keith's now
rather confusing
the other keith is keith b lol
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 750- Registered: 12 Apr 2012
- Posts: 72
Alexander D - hear hear! There is a memorial to the hostages in Calais - nothing for the Villagers who chose to stay on the hill and not spread the disease to the rest of the town.
There should be NO development on the heights.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,572
paulw
did you read laura pimblett post?
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 744- Registered: 20 Mar 2012
- Posts: 412
Sorry Keith S. I meant Keith B - must lay off the Guinness before I post in future. I am afraid everything confuses me these days but when I start putting hundreds of full stops in my posts I will know I have lost the plot
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
lara,of course you and alex is right,calias has allready got a monument for the hostages in the dock area,there is allso a cematry not far around the corner [more british hostages].the war war menmorial is a good idea and should fit in nicely without interupting your views of the channel.
Guest 750- Registered: 12 Apr 2012
- Posts: 72
Brian, am fully aware that the memorial will not affect views, however the dwellings planned most certainly will, which was made apparent when a CGI rep at one of their exhibitions commented that my mother 'was not entitled to a view' however it seems that whoever would purchase a new dwelling would be!