Time to give regeneration our full backing!

I've lived in Dover for around 17 years now and can only really remember the low of how Dover has spiralled into a town of depression.

No one wants development or regeneration.  No one wants to have a town they can be proud to say they live.  Well I’m sorry but to me it seems we’re at the point of boom or bust!

There are several large developments that are in the pipeline for Dover and in my view they all hold merit and all deserve to be moved forward.  The town centre has been in decline for several years, its embarrassing when a tourists is standing outside Boots and asks “Where is the town centre?”, well unfortunately you’re in it!  Regenerating the St James area and providing a link to the existing high street is vital.  The currently scheme has all the signs to be a great development.  However it neglects the existing high street.  The ugly retail units and flats around KFC need to be demolished. Otherwise the existing town centre will never thrive again.

The redevelopment of the Western Heights and Farthingloe is a perfect way to restore some pride in these areas.  For years the tunnels are Drop Redoubt should have been restored to provide another great tourist attraction. In order for Dover to grow again we need to utilise the magnificent attractions we have and upgrade the surrounding to draw in more visitors.  Objecting to develop and change Dover is as good as accepting you’re happy to see Dover continue to decline. 

The Dover Hospital scheme, Western Heights and Fathingloe and St James Regeneration are all schemes that will help boost Dover and draw in more investment into a town that should be crying out for more.  

Its time the town became ambitious and then maybe it will start to influence the people of Dover to show more pride and ambition for future generations.