A major multi million pound investment at the White Cliffs Business Park - which is set to bring thousands of new jobs to the area - has been given the go ahead by the Government. Dover District Council, Kent County Council and MP Gwyn Prosser are celebrating this major news for the future of the area.
Proposals for the £100m investment in Phase 2 of the White Cliffs Business Park in Whitfield, a 27 hectare site which could bring 1,800 new jobs to the area, were put forward by AMEC Developments and agreed by Dover District Council's Planning Committee last year, subject to a legal agreement. Proposals are likely to include a mix of office, warehouse and industrial accommodation, and initial development of small start-up units. To assist with the cost of new infrastructure, services and roads to open up the site for development, a DIY retail store is also being proposed.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) considered the plans as the DIY store represented a change from the allocated uses in the Local Plan. The ODPM announced on Friday that they would not be calling in the application for the Secretary of State to make the decision. Once negotiations have been completed on the legal agreement and other outstanding matters, planning permission can be given and this would enable future development of phase 3 of the Business Park, creating the potential for another 21 hectares of employment space and another 1,200 jobs.
Leader of Dover District Council, Cllr Paul Watkins, said: "The importance of this decision cannot be underestimated. For far too long Dover has been unable to provide suitably located modern business parks. This site has long been identified as being of strategic importance for the provision of jobs and the opportunity to diversify employment, complementing port-related activity. If Dover is to grow, the White Cliffs Business Park in all its 3 phases is the key to the future regeneration of the area. We remain at the bottom end of regional prosperity, this decision gives us another tool to improve our District's performance. Let us hope the opportunity is seized. This is one of a series of vital decisions that will determine our future prosperity."
Dover and Deal MP Gwyn Prosser said: "This is great news for Dover. I've been pleased to support the Council in promoting this crucial development and I've been able to lobby the Deputy Prime Minister's Office for approval of the plans. The positive result demonstrates the value of local authorities and local MPs putting party politics to one side and campaigning jointly in partnership to create new jobs for local people and increase the prosperity of their Districts."
Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration Graham Gibbens said: "This is good news for the regeneration of Dover and for the wider Kent economy. It will mean more jobs for local people and the White Cliffs Business Park will grow to its full potential as a flagship site for local businesses. The county council is right behind this."
