Whitfield urban expansion
- 23 September 2010 12:2272105for those who reside in whitfield a public exhibition is being held at the village hall in sandwich road on the 9th october between the hours of 12 noon until 9.30 p.m.
people who have been involved in drawing up the plans will be there to answer questions. - 23 September 2010 15:4772121This has all been done before and last time I did get up and talk at the meeting, I will go again.
- 23 September 2010 17:1772129I just misread that and had to do a double take.
I read execution, not exhibition.... Got my hopes up that some proper justice was about to be delivered to some scroat.... what a let down. - 23 September 2010 17:3072130Slapped legs...............
- 23 September 2010 17:4072132is our m.p still against the expansion plan since the election?
the council seem determined to go ahead, thought he likelihood of mass development any time in the next 30 years seems to be remote.
would be nice to hear the views of our members that live in the area. - 23 September 2010 17:4072133is our m.p still against the expansion plan since the election?
the council seem determined to go ahead, thought he likelihood of mass development any time in the next 30 years seems to be remote.
would be nice to hear the views of our members that live in the area. - 24 September 2010 09:5272250I live in Whitfield and although the planned expansion wont effect where we live its an absolute travesty what has been approaved.
There are fields at the bottom of the recreation ground that have already been surveyed and marked out so looks like the start is fairly immenant. I have spoken to a fair amount of people about this and unfortunately an alarming amount seem to bury their heads in the sand thinking that it will never happen. Yes the over all plan is a 25 year one but that isnt the point, once it is even a quarter way through the shear size of Whitfield new town will be far bigger. I have also heard nameless councilers state that it wont effect Dover. Just where do they think the people are going to come from who will buy these new houses? I would hazzard a guess that none of the councilers live anywhere remotely near to Whitfield. If it wasn't real it could well be the new plot line for a new Carl Hiassin novel!
The thing that really gets me is that over 90% of the expansion is on green field sites which is appaling. - 24 September 2010 10:3072256These days there shouldn't be ANY NEED to use Green field sites
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred - 24 September 2010 11:0272268I completely agree Kath especially when Connaught barracks sits disserted quickly falling into disrepair
- 24 September 2010 11:1972276There are MANY 'brown field sites' could be used, but it costs more !!!---------------------------------------------------
Lincolnshire Born and Bred - 24 September 2010 16:0072326Here is the latest DDC press release on the Whitfield development...just come in...
Hot off the press as it were so many thanks as ever to DDC
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PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE -
HAVE YOUR SAY ON WHITFIELD PROPOSALS
Dover District Council has announced the start of an 8 week public consultation into plans for an urban extension to Whitfield. The consultation will run from 4 October until midnight on 29 November 2010, and will include a public exhibition at Whitfield Village Hall on 8 and 9 October - and your views are sought.
For the last year, developers and landowners at Whitfield have been working alongside the Council on a masterplan which shows how and where around 5,750 new homes could be located around Whitfield, the location of community facilities, and areas of open space. This document, known as a 'Supplementary Planning Document' (SPD), is part of the district's Local Development Framework. This follows the adoption of the LDF Core Strategy - which sets out the future for the area over the next 20 years.
Officers from Dover District Council and the team of consultants that have prepared the technical research for the SPD will be on hand to answer any questions at the exhibition at Whitfield Village Hall on Friday 8 October from 12.30pm-9.30pm, and Saturday 9 October from 9am-1pm.
Following this exhibition, the boards will be on display at DDC's Whitfield offices until the end of the consultation period. The Council is encouraging everyone to look at the proposals and let them know how Whitfield should be developed over the coming years.
Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council said: "It is absolutely vital that we plan for the future of Dover District. We continue to work hard on a committed growth programme, and it is vital that we broaden the range and type of housing that is currently on offer, as we continue to move forward with regeneration and growth for the future. Consultation on this SPD is a key step forward, and ensures that everyone is given the opportunity to be involved and comment on the future of Whitfield."
For more information, please see the DDC website at www.dover.gov.ukemail: dover7@msn.com - 24 September 2010 16:0572328There are so many 'brownfield' areas in central Dover (ie: the town, remember that place?), and so many derelict buildings that could be revamped and repurposed for housing (and thus breathe life and quality into the place) that the proposed mindless housing expansion of Whitfield is an absolute travesty.
The final death-knell for poor old ravaged, neglected and vandalised Dubris, I fear. Once again, I hope I am completely wrong. But Whitfield isn't the answer to Dover's problems. There's a perfectly good town down there in the valley that needs some love and needs to be allowed to bloom again (apologies to Dame Vera).
Floreat Dubris Libre! - 24 September 2010 16:0772329Definitely use the brown-field sites in Dover - years ago more residents would be living in the centre of towns, what's wrong with that ??
Whitfield green field sites are not the answer.---------------------------------------------------
Lincolnshire Born and Bred - 24 September 2010 16:0972330They are if you are trying to build houses that are affordable.
The high development risks associated with many Dover Town centre sites are difficult to overcome and have killed off many a project. - 24 September 2010 16:1472331Although the consultation has been announced, if you look at PaulWs statement there in post 11 it says...
"it is vital ..that we continue to move forward with regeneration and growth for the future"
so although this is a consultation you can see which way the wind is blowing!email: dover7@msn.com - 24 September 2010 16:1972332I live in Whitfield but find myself agreeing with Barry, town centre projects, especially in Dover, seem to be fraught with problems. Whitfield is no longer a village and hasn't been so for many years, it is like River a suburb of Dover.
We need more housing it is far better to develop Whitfield than say true villages like Alkham and St. Margarets. - 24 September 2010 16:2872333i think we all know what "consultation" actually means, whether it is the primary care trust, harbour board, or anything similar.
the decision has been made well in advance of any open meeting. - 24 September 2010 18:3672342The classic term "affordable" always makes me laugh. I suppose if you have a deposit of £35,000 or so, a well paid "safe" job or another property to sell then it may well be "affordable" to some, but the term usually implies that more or less anyone could become a purchaser.
I would assume that even a lot of "starter" homes are out of reach for most youngsters/couples trying to get on the housing ladder. I don`t see that these new houses will be any different?
As for attending any of their "consultations" in order to find out the views and comments of Whitfield residents, what`s the point? They`ve already been told umpteen times by the residents as to where they can put their development plans and that was completely ignored, so why should the next round of going through the motions be any different.
Howard, you`re quite correct, all the main decisions have already been made and these so called "consultations" are nothing more than a charade.
The majority of people who moved to Whitfield did so because it was a relatively peaceful area. However, according to DDC, "growth" is good, regardless as to how it affects the quality of life of residents. They obviously don`t matter and the planners will be more than happy when virtually all of Whitfield is concreted over.
We may as well have all moved to Milton Keynes and had done with it!