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On Saturday 7 July, six locals were given permission by the Highways Agency to canvas for two hours, between 10.00am and 12 midday in Biggin Street and Cannon Street. This was to see if we could gain support for our opposition to the proposed CGI development on Western Heights and Farthingloe.
Our petition stated:
China Gateway International have applied for outline planning permission to build houses 85 and a hotel + conference centre on Western heights - Dover's Nationally important Ancient Monument.
Also 521 houses + 90 apartment block in the protected (AONB) Farthingloe Valley. We are against this, are you?
In those two hours, 293 signed the petition + 163 more that were given to us after midday on Saturday ... and more are coming in.
As an estimate, about half the LOCAL people who signed the petition knew of the planning proposals placing their name immediately. The general strength of feeling was that neither Western Heights nor Farthingloe should be ruined for more housing. That there are plenty of empty properties and brown field sites in and around the town. Many added that there was not enough work in the town without bring in new comers.
A number of this group made the parting remark that DDC would not take any notice. This was particularly vehement from those living in Whitfield and Deal - in relation to Sholden.
Others expressed concern that although CGI have stated that they would invest in the Western Heights they were unsure how this would improve the town or indeed how this could be regulated.
Some who signed came back later with friends/relatives to sign as well. Others, who at first had said they were in a hurry, also came back and signed. This was one of the reasons for number of post-midday signings.
Of those who were not aware of CGI's plans, initially expressed disbelief, then carefully read our petition statement and readily signed. Their comments were not dissimilar to those cited above.
A number of visitors signed in the name of the White Cliffs of Dover and the beautiful valleys saying that Dover's natural scenery and fantastic history should be preserved from development. They had come to Dover to enjoy this, the sea views, cliffs and the history and expressed amazement that the council seemed to be oblivious of such obvious assets.
Finally, there were the adults under the age of thirty - of which there was significant number many with small children. Besides concurring with the views expressed above, when we mentioned that the housing was for Executives, time after time looks hopelessness crossed their faces. They told us that they were living with their parents or in poor rented accommodation because they cannot afford anything better. One man, involved with people who have been made homeless due to repossession, said that in the previous week he had dealt with three such young families.
We all felt humbled by the depth of feeling expressed by those who signed our petition in those two hours on Saturday and those who made the effort to sign afterwards.
One can only hope that DDC will wake up and take notice.
Lorraine Sencicle and Lara Pimblett