Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
25 January 2011
08:1090156#1
A good news story for Dover and our Planning Officers; most of whom a certain Forumite wants to get rid of.
PLANNING SUCCESS
Dover District Council has welcomed news that outstanding work by the planning team on the Dover Sea Sports Centre and the Local Development Framework has been recognised with two prestigious awards at the Regional Planning Awards 2010.
The Dover Sea Sports Centre won in the Arts, Culture, Sports and Education category at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South East Branch awards, and the LDF Core Strategy won a commendation in the Spatial Strategies section.
Judges were impressed with the short amount of time taken to report and recommend the Dover Sea Sports Centre application to Planning Committee. This showed the importance of pre-application discussions and developing a close working relationship between officers and the architect. The Panel was impressed with the Council's responsive approach to matching the demands of grant funding and the planning process, and the clever use of building materials that enhanced the beach and safeguarded the setting of neighbouring listed buildings.
The Panel also acknowledged that the Core Strategy is founded on growth and provides long-term certainty for developers. The Forward Planning team worked with both the public and private sectors to prepare a solid evidence base, and worked closely with the local community. Judges were impressed with this collaborative approach. They praised the Council for the excellent use of graphics and illustrations, the overall presentation of the Core Strategy, the flexibility that had been built into the strategy to look beyond 2026, and the well-argued case for growth. The Core Strategy is also on the shortlist for an RTPI national award.
Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council, said: "This is a great result and we are very pleased to see the outstanding professional work of our planning team recognised in this way by the Royal Town Planning Institute. Investments are already being attracted to the district, and these awards recognise the strong foundations for future success, as DDC continues to work hard for the area."
They can't be all bad.
Roger
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
25 January 2011
08:1990158#2
Although this is positive news, I can't help but think that this is like commending a library for their excellent work for stocking a well written book.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
25 January 2011
08:3890162#3
You beat me too it with that one Roger.
Apart from the planning aspect the building itself (The Seasports Centre) has been well awarded at various architectural levels. We carried various features about it on the frontpage at different times when we had the information through.
Good line there DT.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
25 January 2011
09:2290165#4
Roger, You are right I do want to see the back of them.
You are just looking at one building, which I have always said it will good,unlike some of you when it was first talked about some years a go you said.It should not be build it will take up to much room,you said that because you did not or could not read the drawings.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
25 January 2011
10:0190171#5
i have always liked the building, it fits in well with its surroundings.
credit where it's due, i think.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
25 January 2011
10:2290178#6
Yes Howard you are right on this one,but lets now look at the rest of the town,do you like what you see?
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
25 January 2011
10:3190181#7
I dont agree with some of the decisions made by the Planning department and committee ,however in River we have had some excellent results .Before Vic moved to leafy River .
The school extension,the Methodist Church ,the houses in River street we managed to get flints placed into the walls here,.The Nursing home adjacent to where Vic and I live .The roof design and use of building materials is good .The close itself well designed ,the sports facility in River Recreation ground .Yes sometimes they get it right .
There are many more .
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
25 January 2011
10:4090183#8
Just to had to the above Our standin Chairman at the D.D.C does not even come Dover or River.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
25 January 2011
11:2990186#9
I assume Vic you mean I dont originate from Dover or River .Forty One years old bean .Sometimes if you have lived elsewhere you look at things differently .
I think I qualify well and truly as a River resident .
My children were educated here and my youngest son born here
Vice Chairman if you please .
No good living in the past ..
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
25 January 2011
12:1790191#10
The Seafront came out nicely, a good job was done there. Also the Flag-pole with the Union Jack flying high.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
25 January 2011
12:1890192#11
I'm looking forward to seeing the statue of the White Horse overlooking the Sea!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
25 January 2011
16:2590209#12
i don't think the planning department were involved with the seafront, my understanding was that the "seachange" people would have worked with the harbour board.
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
25 January 2011
16:4090211#13
No I should not imagine they did Howard, but then it wasn't as if they designed the Sea Sports Centre either....my original point. I do think it's a funny old business 'planning'.
Vic, it's hardly rocket science reading plans, it's peoples ability to visualise them that's the problem.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
25 January 2011
19:5590241#14
There are site plans and there are site plans, and there are cllrs and again there are cllrs
25 January 2011
22:4290272#15
I've lived in Dover for 28 years and like to think of myself as a resident with a great interest in Dover. I know the vice chairman of DDC Mrs Sue Nicholas and she is one of the nicest most caring ladies I have ever met. She deserves respect.
I agree with the comments about the Sea centre, a lovely building that blends in well and enhances our new seafront very well.
AlexanderD - what's this about a white horse? I hadn't heard about that, do tell me more.
So much of Dover has changed since I've lived here, all for the better. My favourite part is Snargate Street which has gone from a dark and dingy street to a bright waterside one with plenty to see and do.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
25 January 2011
22:5290274#16
firstly welcome to alf our newest member, good to see you airing your views.
i do not share your longevity here, a mere 8 years.
i agree with your comments on snargate street, when the masonic hall was painted a bright blue the dover society was up in arms!!
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
25 January 2011
23:0790276#17
Alf, welcome to the madhouse.
If I have understood correctly the White Horse statue is going to be up at Capel somewhere, unless Alex is talking about the great lump of whatever up at the north of the county.
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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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Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
25 January 2011
23:3890281#18
Mr Dunbar ,
Thank you for those kind words .I do try .I have just got in after attending two meetings as at Whitfield leaving home by bus before 4.00pm .I went on to Temple Ewell for a 7.15pm meeting then on to Lydden for 8.00pm
I went with the new Councillor for that area handing over really .I can now concentrate on River and Alkham .
How ever hard the going I try to maintain my sense of humour and never ever forget the people I represent ..
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
25 January 2011
23:4590283#19
Alf, there are plans to place a statue of the White Horse of Kent on Western Heights, the rampant one with the name Invicta.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
26 January 2011
07:4890293#20
The planning awards were not so much for the design (as you rightly say they weren't designed by the planning officers/department) it was for how they handled the application(s) that was praised.
Roger