PRESS RELEASE
ENGLISH HERITAGE PRESS STATEMENT - For immediate release 9 JULY 2012
ENGLISH HERITAGE RESPONSE TO PLANS BY CHINA GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL (CGI) FOR MAJOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE CENTRAL AREA OF THE WESTERN HEIGHTS
Dr Andy Brown, English Heritage Planning Director for the South East said:
"We believe that the Western Heights has enormous potential to contribute to the local economy and have pledged to work with Dover District Council and other partners in harnessing this potential which is one of the council's key objectives.
However, we are recommending refusal of planning permission for this damaging scheme for houses in the interior of the Western Heights. The openness of the interior is an essential part of the Heights and we cannot support its infilling as proposed.
If permission were granted, the prospects of appreciating one of England's greatest historic places would have been cashed in for an unnecessary 94 houses, the location of which is driven only by the land ownership and not by any strategic thought on the part of the applicant China Gateway International for its destructive consequences."
Notes to Editors:
Dr Andy Brown is available for interview this afternoon and tomorrow morning to discuss our opposition to these proposals.
