Guest 1829- Registered: 31 Aug 2016
- Posts: 1
#1
It would appear that between Dover District Council and Bond City that they are throwing the St James Development into complete chaos.
Bond City would appear to have failed to correctly advise DDC of the total cost of remediation the ground at the St James Development. Subsequently the whole development is now under threat! You might have noticed the very slow start and lack of machinery on the Kier area of the site.
Bond City have been advised at a very early stage that significant remediation would be required. Contamination identified within the footprint of the new hotel and retail units need to be dealt with prior to commencement. The cost to complete the remediation is around £5m, with Bond City and DDC now saying that do not have the funds, which is throwing the whole scheme into turmoil.
It would appear the hotel area has been contaminated by old fuel tanks buried in the ground. The rest of the site also has significant contamination that needs to be addressed.
Kier have been issued with an initial order of around £800k, to carry out some enabling works. However they have been unable to enter into contact to complete the £28 million pound development.
This would appear to be another in a long history of DDC howlers.
It has been suggested that the project might go back out to be re-priced. This would cause significant delays and is unlikely to reduce the overall cost of the project.
This information has come from a reliable contact close to the contractor.
Should we be surprised, this is Dover District Council as we all know. Stump up the money and get Dover regeneration back on track!
howard mcsweeney1 likes this
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
#2
That assumes they have the money - if they do not where do you suggest they get it?
Are you prepared to pay more council tax to fund this? Or see services cut further?
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 1266- Registered: 8 May 2014
- Posts: 381
#3
Indeed Ross, DDC are too wrapped up in their next disaster (Whitfield Leisure Centre) which will require additional tax payers money.
Jack of Hearts
Button
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 22 Jul 2016
- Posts: 3,109
#4
I don't see the DDC howler in post 1, unless it was failure to anticipate buried fuel tanks - which one could well see affecting 4 areas of the site.
(Not my real name.)
Button- Location: Dover
- Registered: 22 Jul 2016
- Posts: 3,109
#5
And is remediation tax relief at 150% no longer with us?
(Not my real name.)
Guest 1831- Registered: 1 Sep 2016
- Posts: 395
#6
Any more news on this? The contamination rumour is rife - so after all these years, someone did not do their homework.
DDC to the left of us / DHB to the right of us.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#7
dtc to the front,rode the brave 500
Guest 1849- Registered: 12 Sep 2016
- Posts: 440
#8
A couple of years ago in the auditorium at the Discovery Centre, DDC and Bond City took questions from a large audience. I asked if DDC had a contingency plan should Bond City pull out for one reason or another. The Leader of the Council, who contributes to this forum, said: "There is no Plan B". A well known local business man has expressed concern that work has effectively stopped, it would be interesting to hear if this is true and if so, why?
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
#9
I also recall that comment so I do hope there is now a plan B.A few weeks ago in a radio interview on radio Kent which Jenny Sutton and the Leader took part no indication was given that there are problems.I read comments in the local press and heard various rumours none I must state have come from Whitfield.I would not ask questions and respect the confidentiality of these matters.
I do hope DTIZ doesn't go the way of The Whitecliffs Experience or tongue in cheek the Big Screen.
I voted against both of these however I did want to see a factory outlet at Whitfield.Gradually shops have now crept up to Whitfield I do hope. Marks and Spencer hold their nerve and can wait for DTIZ.
I said on another thread too many eggs in one basket.Let us hope all efforts will now go into DTIZ.
Reginald Barrington and Guest 1849 like this
Guest 1849- Registered: 12 Sep 2016
- Posts: 440
#10
Sue Nicholas wrote:I also recall that comment so I do hope there is now a plan B.A few weeks ago in a radio interview on radio Kent which Jenny Sutton and the Leader took part no indication was given that there are problems.I read comments in the local press and heard various rumours none I must state have come from Whitfield.I would not ask questions and respect the confidentiality of these matters.
I do hope DTIZ doesn't go the way of The Whitecliffs Experience or tongue in cheek the Big Screen.
I voted against both of these however I did want to see a factory outlet at Whitfield.Gradually shops have now crept up to Whitfield I do hope. Marks and Spencer hold their nerve and can wait for DTIZ.
I said on another thread too many eggs in one basket.Let us hope all efforts will now go into DTIZ.
I expressed my concerns last week on the "MFI site" thread I started 5 years ago. In Jan 2014 a director of Bond City assured me, in the presence of senior DDC officers, that we would be watching movies in St James in the Spring of 2016. People will draw their own conclusions about competency, honesty and efficiency.
As the previous Chairman of DDC points out, the ability to snatch defeat from the verge of victory re the Outlet Centre at Whitfield suggests that no lessons have been learned.
Reginald Barrington likes this
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#11
I have never known a large scale building project to be completed on schedule, there are always unexpected problems cropping up along the way. I cannot remember the most recent announced completion date but I would expect 2018.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#12
Howard, there are unexpected problems but with this project there seem to be more than usual.
I would have expected to see the footings of the buildings to have been under way by now, but as per the norm with this project nothing seems to be happening.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Captain Haddock
- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,397
#13
Jack Heart wrote:Indeed Ross, DDC are too wrapped up in their next disaster (Whitfield Leisure Centre) which will require additional tax payers money.
Disaster?
IF we can get the right build in the right place at the right price I see nothing but good (for once).
"The world is still a weird place, despite my efforts to make clear and perfect sense of it".
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#14
Have been copied in on some E mails between a concerned resident and DDC. The impression I get is that DTIZ has stalled and that the proposed Leisure Centre is more of a priority for DDC.
Guest 1266- Registered: 8 May 2014
- Posts: 381
#15
Captain Haddock wrote:Disaster?
IF we can get the right build in the right place at the right price I see nothing but good (for once).
The right build? I thought it had already been decided to downgrade the 50m pool to a 25m pool so that a money making Spa could be squeezed in and build it in Whitfield even though the demographic in Dover who should be actively using it probably don't own a car or can afford the public transport costs.
howard mcsweeney1 likes this
Jack of Hearts
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#16
I remember the objection from the Dover Society on the planning application. Their view was that it should be sited on the papermill site stating the accessibility for those without their own transport and taking on board that Dover town has a large percentage of obese people that should be encouraged to try and get fitter.
Guest 1266 likes this