30 September 2009
13:4929557#1
You will all be aware that the proposed changes to our sea front have been exhibited and will be available tomorrow and friday to view.
Last night at DTC we had a presentation from Seachange and it was certainly not well recieved. Other than the fact that most of the money appears to have been spent on English Heritage the revelation that the changes to the sea front are being rushed through to be done before end of march next year. Once again we were faced with the statements that planning had been applied for , that public consultation would take place - but then that tender documents were also being prepared. The Town Council have not been consulted or opinions sought. I commented that maybe some Dovorians would like a proper say in how the seafront would change.
Whilst we would back any spend of money that benefitted the town the total arrogance ( my opinion ) of those who make decisions on our behalf is amazing.
The presentation started by explaining that Seachange was aimed at joining the town partners together and then went on to show that the 7.7million was mainly spent on EH and DHB property - the two bodies in this town who have done the least to communicate! Points were made that maybe some better facilities like toilets and town tidying should come somewhere in the list ....
How much of the money has been spent on consultants out of town I didnt get to ask but we were told that the cable car feasibility would cost £250,000.
Shall we give up now?
D
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
30 September 2009
14:4029558#2
I take a slightly different view - its great to see someone getting a move on and getting something done quickly. Most refreshing though not necessarily too pleased about English Heritage getting the main slice, but still.......
OK we have yet to see the job started on the ground but too often projects get delayed on the back of excessive consultation, this country has gone consultation mad. That you cannot please everyone all the time is often forgotten. Better to get on and get the job done.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
30 September 2009
14:4329559#3
totally agree, when any money is being given away, we should grab it.
english heritage got the bulk of the money, i believe, as they provided match funding.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
30 September 2009
14:5929560#4
Question is though, did anyone other than English Heritage apply for money ?? I am sure they match funded half of the money.
Been nice knowing you :)
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
30 September 2009
16:5929565#5
that is right about about e.h. match funding, ddc would not have the sort of money to do likewise.
it is not news anyway, there has been a fullblown exhibition at the library for some time, detailing the changes to the seafront.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
30 September 2009
19:1029569#6
into a giant lorry park along with townwall street,snargate street and all the back past aycliffe and onto the roundhill tunnels.
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
30 September 2009
19:1329570#7
So DDC could only come up with little or nothing, so the money that was meant to unite town and sea has gone on things that do nothing of the sot and to bodies that don't really care about that damn nuisance of a town.
Seems like it is the same old story all over again.
I am all for doing things promptly and speedily, but there needs to be local consultation and it is outrageous to submit requests for tender before that process has been completed and the plans actually approved.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
1 October 2009
05:4329575#8
David H and Ross have, as usual, hit the nail(s) on the head. Local money, local consultation, real issues. Not Large, autonomous and socially irresponsible bodies absorbing money that could, realistically, have improved Dover and its image. We should not ignore basics like toilets and flowers!!!!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
1 October 2009
08:2429585#9
if the issue had gone to committees, it would have been discussed for ever and nothing done.
local opinions were asked for at the exhibition.
Guest 662- Registered: 18 Mar 2008
- Posts: 325
1 October 2009
09:4229592#10
Here we go again ! Local consultation etc..... how many Dovorians apart from the stalwart few would have turned up?
I agree that the Town is in much need of Regeneration but any change is good and if English Heritage have Match Funded then so be it - in the long run at least something is being done.
For too long Regeneration has been a Dream rather than a reality and any changes will be welcomed by most people and maybe instill a little bit of pride in Dovorians after a very long period of disdain.
Michelle
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
1 October 2009
16:2629605#11
the only way dover can get any pride is to rebuild the town from the heart outwards,keeping dhb/eh out of the loop untill they start putting money into the town.
1 October 2009
16:3729607#12
This is as I posted on the "open" page a few weeks ago.
Of course Dover must "grab" any investment oportunity. However such "pots of gold" are in fact always subject to match funding and with so few large organisations in Dover able to do so any such funding must depend on DDC doing a "match funding".
I personally think both the EH and DHB investments were actually not needed but if they were the only organisations prepared to put up match funding there is little that can be done if money was to be spent on Dover.
It would have been better for DDC to stump up a couple of million with matched funding from Seachange/SEEDA for a real "Town Centre" project.
If it had to be "seafront" investment then Shakespear Beach and Admiralty Pier should have been looked at.
As Howard has said there was time for comments following a display in the library and I certainly put in writing the above issues although it is no doubt another application "fast tracked" just as the Giant Screen in market Square.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
1 October 2009
17:0029608#13
you did indeed post on the open page and ask for views pat.
not many replies though, i genuinely believe that we should snatch any free money going and be grateful.
shakespeare beach and the admiralty pier desperately need some money spent on them, problem is no money is being offered.
1 October 2009
17:1529610#14
I see from DDC website there is a open meeting at Town Council office this evening 6pm to 6.30pm re Seachange with Nadeem Aziz present
So if you have your skates on you have about 45 minutes to make it
Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
1 October 2009
17:2829611#15
No doubt Aziz will talk lots and say little as normal
Of course Dover should take all opportunities to get funding to improve the town, the issue is that all funding needs to be matched by a local body and DDC have committed much of their funding to the glacial DTIZ that they appear to be unable to do so.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
1 October 2009
17:3529612#16
DDC are facilitators, Ross, its funded by developers, tax money is not being risked on a commercial enterprise and is only right.
Funding is tight for councils and is set to get tighter. DDC's reserves were of course squandered by the old Labour regime and while the position has improved since funds are not plentiful. Easy to talk about DDC putting up a couple of £million Pat but have they got it? I dont think so somehow.
Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
1 October 2009
17:4129614#17
Fair enough Barry, but then they need to get on with the facilitation. There are lots of good ideas out there and a number of good schemes the council has talked about with no obvious movement, nor any talk from them about what is happening, I know there are commercial confidentialities to consider etc. but silence leads to people speculating and filling it with their own stories.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
1 October 2009
18:2329619#18
My understanding is that a CPO is going ahead due to the lack of cooperation from a landowner. This is delaying the building of a tower for the aerials so Burlington can be knocked down.
As I have said before this is a very difficult and complex site and we knew in 1983 that it would be at least a 20 year project. No-one, I am sure, is more frustrated than the powers that be in DDC. They want to see progress as much as anyone.
Damn - I have now missed the meeting, what a day!
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
2 October 2009
07:4529641#19
I sent an email round to all those on my email address groups about this neighbourhood meeting; they are always sent out blind so no one can receive any scam or spam emails from them; if anyone would like to be added to my list, please let me know - my email address is:
lindenrog@aol.com
I send round Public Information, up-and-coming events and local business news - all blind.
I agree that it is good that we can get money for regeneration projects, but a shame that it is so tightly controlled, but that is because the application form has to be very specific on what the money will be used for. You cannot say that this historic site, or that one, needs upgrading - it's not going to get the money; cultural issues play a large part in an application's success.
Many people tell me that the promenade/seafront in Dover, is one of the most impressive and peaceful anywhere; it's not commercialised, the gardens are kept very tidy and neat and it all looks great; I'm sure that it will look good with this wavy upgrade, but there is an expression about "if it aint broke, don't fix it" - is it broke ?
Roger
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
2 October 2009
12:0129667#20
Roger, must take this opportunity to thank you for your emails ,they are very helpful and certainly keep me in the loop
Re, the seafront/promenade, it is indeed impressive and peaceful in its present form but with everything around it about to change, I think now is the time for a facelift and this wavy upgrade looks like it will bring it up to date and in keeping with the rest of the changes.