Vaughn wrote:If the regeneration of Dover has been halted over an assumption that a licence would be granted to dredge the Goodwin Sands then heads need to roll at DHB and Dover District Council.
I concur with the first part, but DDC were no more than consultees to the MMO (as Paul has said)
Vaughn's point is otherwise valid in that DHB could (and indeed should) have saved themselves and the people of Dover & District a whole load of trouble if they had but said
at the outset of their media campaign promoting the DWDR project on large hoardings, billboards, promotional videos, newspapers et al that the full regeneration program, including retail development, was dependent upon the obtaining of a licence to dredge the goodwin sands. They did not. An obvious miscalculation. They also made no provision for not being able to take sand from that source. As Vaughn says it appears that DHB made an 'assumption' that has little merit in a project of this size. Certainly it would (and has) cost more to obtain sand from further afield, but that is no excuse for ignoring an obvious, unknown factor at the outset that could/would cause them later problems and, in the event, lead to a somewhat pointed and disappointing PR campaign telling people what they might not get (or indeed what they might lose) with an attempt to blame the whole process on others. Just not good enough DHB whatever the MMO decision. Keep digging a hole and it just gets bigger.
How about just standing up and saying "we got that bit wrong". It might just regain some respect that has been sorely lost by your present media onslaught.
In the interest of balance and fairness, I support the DWDR project, the need for better cargo facilities and the promotion of Dover as a destination with the correct transport infastructure in place and a vibrant marina and public access area. Reservations remain about the extent of the infill required to achieve the two cargo berths and attendant services, but in the main a much needed project that will only benefit Dover in the long term, Brexit or no.
