Plans for the biggest ever regeneration of Dover's retail centre have been passed - kick-starting a massive urban renewal in the historic Kent port.
Dover District Council last night (Thursday March 8) approved plans submitted by developer Bond City and retailer ASDA to create an 85,000 sq ft food store with a further 35,000 sq ft of additional shop and restaurant space.
The eye-catching centrepiece of the much-needed regeneration project is a 60 metre communications tower, which will create a new landmark for Dover and be visible for miles around.
A 100-bedroom hotel, 53 affordable homes and a new 600 space car park complete the ambitious mixed-use scheme. The £50 million eight-acre redevelopment in the St James area has been several years in the making.
Bond City, the scheme's developers won a national competition held by Dover District Council to design and deliver this major regeneration project which sits close to the sea-front in the Dover Town Investment Zone.
With ASDA signed up as the key anchor store and the hotel already pre-let to Travelodge, the project will bring more than 500 jobs to the area and is a key priority for the Council's 30 year regeneration partnership 'Dover Pride'.
The partly derelict site contains a vacant multi-storey car park and Burlington House office block, together with the Russell Street car park and adjoining buildings. The current occupier Stagecoach is now in the process of relocating to new premises.
The company has worked closely with the council and with architect Dyer Associates to produce an attractive scheme incorporating characteristic 'seaside' architecture, with a bright white façade and an Art Deco feel.
The aim is to end the town centre's fragmented structure and provide much needed retail opportunities and social housing. It is expected work will begin on site early in 2008, with the communications mast being the first structure to be constructed.
Clive Lynton, a director of Bond City, a subsidiary of Stonehurst Estates, is an expert on city centre regeneration. He said: "After several years and a lot of public consultation we are delighted to have got agreement on a scheme that will revitalise Dover.
"The town has been neglected in the past two decades while places such as Folkestone have been improving rapidly.
"Historically it is an important town, with a beautiful castle and some lovely traditional architecture, but with the retail going into a downward spiral more and more people have seen Dover as a place to pass through, rather than to stay.
"We hope the scheme for the St James area will kick-start even more regeneration in the town giving Dover the chance to become the town it once was. Without this, it will continue to lose retailers and lose residents; this is a renewal scheme that is long overdue."
The ASDA store has been designed by award-winning architect Dyer Associates. It features a sales area at first floor level and car parking underneath.
John Mutton from ASDA added: "We are absolutely delighted to be heading to Dover, it has been a long time coming and we look forward to bringing our famous value, quality and friendly service, not to mention our range of local products to Dover."
The new car park for the scheme will service the whole town, not just the superstore and several additional retail and restaurant units will be also available, marketed by commercial property specialist Stephen Buckle and Co.
Stephen Buckle said: "St James's will provide an extension to the existing town centre and will complement and enhance the current facilities, rather than compete with them.
"The food store and 600 space car park will be a significant draw. The aim is to provide a variety of different sized retail units that will meet the requirements of those major brand names that are notably absent from the town.
"It will also provide accommodation for some more local or specialist occupiers, raising Dover's status in the retail hierarchy."
Clive Lynton added: "Dyer Associates are internationally recognised architects and have produced a scheme that is exciting, visually attractive and appropriate for a seaside town.
"We have spent a lot of time and effort on public consultation for this scheme, because it is such a pivotal part of Dover's future.
"There has been universal recognition that this site had to be revitalised and town centre shopping and leisure facilities had to be improved."
