The post you are reporting:
This is a very recent DDC news release:
MOVING FORWARD FOR THE FUTURE - MULTI MILLION POUND REGENERATION PROPOSALS FOR DOVER
Transformational multi million pound proposals for heritage-related regeneration in Dover, focusing on linking the world class heritage and cultural assets with the port and town, are being developed following major funding news from the Government today.
This follows the major announcement from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport today that Dover is one of three towns to benefit from up to £4 million each for cultural and heritage projects. The grants are to be made as part of Sea Change, a new funding programme, which aims to support economic regeneration in coastal areas through investment in culture and heritage. Funding is subject to formal application and proposals are currently being developed.
Dover District Council, Kent County Council, the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and English Heritage, with the Dover Pride Partnership, are developing major proposals. The proposals would ensure Dover's cultural assets play a central part in the regeneration of the town, and provide better access and connectivity for visitors and residents.
Proposals include looking at transport-related schemes, including cable cars to link the Western Heights to the Western Docks and the Eastern Docks to Dover Castle, and a rapid bus system providing further linkage to Dover Priory.
This news follows the important announcement of major plans by the Port of Dover to build on its world leading position with an additional terminal, and exciting partnership proposals for a stunning new waterfront for Dover, including linkage to the town centre via a state-of-the-art landbridge, which continue to be developed. Work has also begun on site for the multi million pound redevelopment of Dover Town Centre.
Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of DDC said: "These are formative, progressive times for Dover. A wealth of major development proposals coming together can deliver a world class future. These state of the art proposals will provide vital linkage between the town, port and heritage, adding further significance to the arrival of the high speed rail link in 2009. The direction of travel is forward to very exciting times. Bold initiatives and a sense of place will deliver change and prosperity if the players stay at the table and hold their nerve. Dover is a District on the move."
Oona Muirhead, SEEDA Executive Director for Sustainable Prosperity, said: "We welcome the Sea Change funding for cultural regeneration of seaside resorts and will work with Dover District Council and partners on a bid to deliver some fantastic projects for Dover. The Sea Change Programme and funds are important to achieve the town's potential as an attractive tourist and leisure destination, and increase the quality of life for residents. "
I know you can't please all of the people all of the time, but I believe this will be great for Dover and tourism here - I know we have the Castle and the iconic White Cliffs, but we need something "BIG" and something new, something that will catch the imagination of the travelling public.
A couple of years ago, I contacted one of the companies that build and manage Sea-World type Centres, asking if they would come to Dover and build one here; their response was that they have built enough of them in the U.K. for now and are concentrating on Europe, mainly I seem to remember, Germany.
With a new Town Centre (DTIZ), the current one being linked to it and improved, buildings being looked after and refurbished, Group Travel and ordinary (FIT) tourism built up, new businesses (including new retail businesses) coming here, it is all putting Dover on the map.
But and it is a big but, we mustn't take our eye off of the ground-floor - the local businesses that are struggling so hard now.
So many obstacles are placed in their way that it is surprising that we don't have more closed shops here.
It's great to know where we're going, but we need to keep our eye on the ball, our ear to the ground and our mind on the job - of looking after the businesses and the Town Centre.
Roger