The post you are reporting:
Just had this interesting letter through...
Many thanks Lara. It is usually one of our most discussed topics but here with a different slant on things.
******************
WESTERN HEIGHTS DEVELOPMENT.
Dear Paul,
I note from the Dover Forum website that several comments have been placed regarding this development.
I lived on the Western Heights, which is actually now officially known as the Village of Bradden, for a majority of my life. The entire area is a scheduled ancient monument and apart from the rather fantastic ideas of a hotel, glass elevator and cable car and the badly designed War Memorial, the proposed buildings on the Heights will be no more than purely detrimental to the entire area.
The plans show around 170 new dwellings on a hill that is riddled with anti napoleonic tunnels and buried WWII water tanks. Some of the new buildings will encroach directly onto current houses which have been there for rather a long time others will be over the skyline as seen from Dover.
At no point previously to the presentations by CGI were residents asked of opinions, and although the WHPS do an amazing job of looking after the Drop Redoubt and Grand Shaft areas, no consideration has been given to the residential areas.
I agree that the Redoubt should be preserved for future generations - but to what cost? ruining the unique archeology, history and wildlife on an area that is a major part of Dovers history and could, if managed properly, be a jewel for its future - look at Fort Amshurst in Medway.
If China Gateway International is interested in regenerating Dover, should they not be looking at the actual state of Dover? encouraging business, revamping the High Street? Snargate Street? Investing in the properties already needing attention in the town - certainly not building on green land, which when its gone can never be replaced.
Kind regards
Lara Pimblett
