Hi all,
Anyone got any news on the town centre redevelopment?
I fired off some vitriol on that thorny old subject in the YourDover paper letters page last week, and got mentioned in dispatches in the Dover Distress' 'Dubris' column, for what it's worth, so one hopes that will focus a few minds further.
I hear a rumour on another Dover-related website that The Britannia (a great pub in its long-gone heyday) is going to get the bulldozer treatment too once the great and good find the keys to the missing JCBs.
And is that a rumbling from The Crypt I hear too, after all these decades? Could be.
Onwards and sideways, my pretties!
Andy
Unregistered User
Decision for demolition of Stagecoach Building scheduled on Monday . Tenders in & ready to go in weeks providing no third party hitches.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
how can their be a third party hitch paul?
i thought that it was supposed to come down in february.
we were told then that everything had been finalised.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
There can always be third party hitches howard. This is real life and s*** happens. Fingers crossed.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
"how can their be a third party hitch paul?"
For a start, I beleive that there is sub-station between the bus station and the multi-story - through Seeboard into the equation and there is always a hitch !!
Been nice knowing you :)
Unregistered User
Howard , I don't intend to have a running commentary.
I answered a query & don't intend to give others the opportunity to be spoilers. It's your money as tax payers.
Sorry - I think that if public figures use this forum to respond to the people who elect them there should be no half measures.......I am glad public people use the forum, and want to encourage that, but I don't think that should mean a compromise on depth and honesty. And a running commentary is exactly what we often have here.....as in "forum".......
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
well everyone promised(like howard says) burlington house was down in feb
how long now then??????????
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
I commend Paul Watkins for posting here and it shows strength of character and conviction, as giving 'one-line' concise answers is not always possible. I have to agree with Bern, a running commentary is exactly what we want. The concept of Democracy is dead if those that are given the power to represent are not directly answerable to the people that gave them that power.
I appologise Paul as that is a general comment on representation, but I do think the continued incoherence on this matter is only fueling the apathy.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i regret to see our leader dodging the issue here.
he is usually the most straightforward public figure.
pics were in the press of the regeneration bod at DDC boasting that the final obstacle had been overcome and the demolition was sorted.
that was in february.
now we here words like "tenders in place" etc etc.
looking at the posts on this thread since paul posted, it is clear that people are frustrated.
we all realise that the issues are complicated, but when we are told things by our elected representatives that are totally untrue, then cycnicism sets in.
we are not children, we would like to know the facts.
is the asda project still on?
will snoops continue to crumble?
is it true what our victor is saying about the beautiful burlington house?
will the station be ready for the high speed train?
no doubt i will be accused of sniping, i am merely stating what the dover citizens say on a day to day basis.
most of the older ones that have gone through mill here. do not have computers to vent their frustrations.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
I am of course very glad to see Paul Watkins posting and naturally would like him to do it as much as possible. He has been a member of all our forums since year dot. I appreciate though that a chap in his position ( Leader of the DDC ) may have certain constraints placed upon what he is able to say at any one time.
I would just like to add something for the DDC guys in general to consider, that a quote given to a newspaper can be very old hat by the time it reaches the light of day..and in web terms that can be very very old hat indeed. By the time it's printed the argument can have moved on.
Its very important that the DDC lines of communication are kept open with this website. I think part of the problem with the DTIZ development and the current disgruntlement is the total voids we get in communication.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
Howard
Looks like you are beginning to realise
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Communication is indeed important and we are fortunate that Paul Watkins posts here and informs us as much as he is able.
PaulB is right though that there are constraints on what he can say. Dont forget this is not all in the hands of DDC, third parties are involved many of whom are, shall we say, less than efficient and frankly could not care less about Dover (unlike Paul Watkins, who is on our side and as frustrated as anyone else).
Vic is correct about the problems of the phone masts though I hope he is wrong about the timescales....
Scotchie is also right, Seeboard having to get involved is also not condusive to a speedy progress.
I remember myself, years ago, feeling misled, betrayed and angry about such 'third parties' not delivering what they say in the timescale the said. DDC is an easy scapegoat but remember they want to see progress as much as we do, they cant be happy about the stick they get.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
see my comments on the open letter section.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Unregistered User
Asda still on board , met with them 2-3 weeks ago.
Phone masts need to be relocated , that is why first phase of development will be the hotel site opposite Sports Centre where new masts will be relocated -see planning design-. This is not new.
Have no idea where Vic's timescale came from.
Snoops is not part of DTIZ scheme & is owned by Wetherspoons. Whilst it is not ideal, we will ensure it remains a safe structure until they redeveop the site or move it on.
Priory Station scheme funded . planning permissions in place if needed , Legal agreements between KCC & Network Rail are the hold up. £2.8 m ready to go.
Howard , there are matters best left between lawyers,which I do not intend to engage with you or others in the public domain. That is all I am prepared to say. Can't be any clearer. You can speculate or damn me in public but it will not progress the scheme any quicker , as Barry has said we want the same outcomes as speedily as can be delivered.
Guest 663- Registered: 20 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,136
Its true you cann't always give out all the back ground facts, but I think the explantion that Paul Watkins has given seems pretty fair, but I do agree that communication is vital
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
paul
i will ask again, why did the regeneration man say in the local press, that final piece of the jigsaw was in place?
we all realise that a lot of negotiations go on behind the scenes, and that hold ups occur, that is not the point.
if something is not finalised, why say that it is?
you would not like to buy a cruise holiday based on the brochure, arrive on the day, and be told that the shipyard had not delivered the vessel.
Guest 643- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,321
Howard I think you're being very unfair on PaulW. He has come into the forum given us all the information he can and explained why he can't tell us certain things at the moment, surely we can ask no more of him. Like he says, we all want the same things and DDC are working hard behind the scenes. We are not entitled to know everything. We are not qualified to take in all that is going on, that's what the council are there for - to act for the town. If Paul were to pass on every little thing that's happening how soon would rumour start and arguing and silly comments. Leave the fine tuning to Paul and those involved at the council. Paul will tell us when there is anything to tell, but if you keep having a go at him he will get fed up and stop posting at all - which none of us want to happen.
You know it makes sense!
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
Jacqui, I agree that there is no need to harass anyone over matters. However to suggest we are not entitled to information is a little too passive. The only qualification that our councillors have is that we put them there, that is why we are entitled and qualified.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
jacqui
kindly read my post again and then explain why i have been unfair.