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In the mid-1950s the part of the Western Heights fortifications that had housed the Drop Redoubt, the Grand Shaft Barracks and the Grand Shaft were handed over to Dover Corporation. They decided to use part of the Heights for industrial purposes; the four miles of moats as rubbish tips and the remainder, for London over-spill housing. Although in 1962 the Ministry of Public Building and Works scheduled part of the Heights as an Ancient Monument, the council dismissed this as a 'piece of nonsense'. This attitude galvanised many including ourselves, to protect what is now regarded as a NATIONAL ANCIENT MONUMENT.
In 1985, the Grand Shaft triple staircase was restored but the following year Dover District Council (DDC) proposed that the site of the former Grand Shaft Barracks was to be allocated for housing and a hotel. Along with fellow Dovorian, Jack Philips, we successfully objected to the proposal at a Local Planning Inquiry with the outcome that the Planning Inspector recommended a number of additional caveats. With the help and perseverance of DDC Director of Planning and the White Cliffs Countryside Project (WCCP), much was achieved during the following years: Clearing rubbish and scrub, introduction of Dexter Cattle to keep the scrub down, the 'Soldiers Life' trail, the north bastion steps, the wooden gates etc. In 1994, IMPACT - The Joint Environmental Initiative of KCC and DDC - started work on the faithful reconstruction of the Grand Shaft we see today. Indeed, I researched and wrote a DDC commended paper entitled Western Heights - A Future, putting forward proposals for future management to unlock the tourist potential of the NATIONAL ANCIENT MONUMENT. Something I will return to in another communication.
However, due to changes in personnel and policy by DDC and English Heritage (EH) much of this initial enthusiasm waned. Nonetheless, in 2000 Western Heights Preservation Society (WHPS), made up of enthusiastic volunteers, took up the cudgel. Possibly, due to financial pressures, the backing given to WHPS in restoring the National Ancient Monument was not forthcoming and the Western Heights is now on the Heritage at Risk Register.
The neighbouring Arthurian valley of Farthingloe, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), is equally important to the tourism potential of Dover. Its legend, peace, beauty and tranquillity compliments the military realism of Western Heights. In between the Western Heights Nature Reserve, which is NOT part of the proposed development, is of national ecological importance and the White Cliffs of Dover, beyond have been put forward as a World Heritage site.
Traditionally, for planning purposes, Western Heights and Farthingloe have been treated separately. However, China Gateway International have applied for outline planning permission to develop both sites as one, with:
615 -residential units (Use Class C3) = Farthingloe 521 + Western Heights 85 + WH Conversion 9
90-apartment retirement block (Use Class C2)
130-bed hotel and 150-person conference centre (Use Class C1)
In addition, a health facility, conversion of thatched barn to pub/restaurant and the conversion of stable block to retail shop.
If given the go-ahead by DDC, the council will receive the New Homes Bonus fund - this is a levy on money raised from the development that can be spent on the District.
We have strongly objected. to permission being granted to China Gateway International (CGI) to undertake the developments on Western Heights and Farthingloe.
Lorraine Sencicle