Draft minutes

It was noted that there were no apologies for absence.

It was noted that there were no substitute members.

It was noted that there were no declarations of interest.

The Group considered the draft Terms of Reference and agreed that they should be accepted.

The Head of Inward Investment updated Members on the progress made in relation to the Dover Waterfront project.  The Group was advised that the waterfront’s location offered a unique opportunity to continue the momentum created by the redevelopment of the St James’s site. As a result of a competitive tender exercise, a multi-disciplinary grouping of architects, led by WSP/Baca and LDA Design, had been appointed to provide costing and commercial expertise.  Baca Architects and LDA were undertaking a baseline study (due to be concluded in January) that would provide a robust basis on which to inform the Masterplan and a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).  The SPD would provide a clear policy framework for how the waterfront could be developed, and would be used to support strategic funding bids to the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).  It was hoped that these agencies, which strongly supported the proposals, would exert political pressure in favour of the scheme.

Mr Richard Coutts (Baca) advised that information acquired through the baseline exercise would be used to create an overarching document that would identify key ideas for the Masterplan.  Consultation would take place on the latter, and Members’ aspirations and views were sought to inform the document.  Drawing from its experience of other waterfront projects, Baca was very familiar with the most innovative initiatives at home and abroad.  One of the clear outcomes of this work was the commitment to fully integrate Dover’s waterfront with the town centre, creating distinctive foreground buildings and ensuring that there was good connectivity and parking.  A cable car linking the castle to the waterfront was being considered, as was a land-bridge to by-pass the A20.  The project would be required to align with Policy CP8 of the Core Strategy.  

Councillor M R Eddy commented that the fundamental problem with Dover’s existing seafront was its isolation from the town centre, caused by the A20.  The buildings constructed in Dover since the Second World War had not been built to a high standard and were an amalgamation of styles.  Any buildings of merit had not been well maintained, and the street layout of the town was not conducive to connectivity.   That said, due to its white cliffs and castle, Dover enjoyed international recognition. Councillor P M Brivio commented that visitors to the town centre did not always realise there was a seafront and better signposting was therefore needed to encourage footfall.  She added that Dover’s geography, being situated in a valley, did not help.  There was agreement that people tended to drive through the town without stopping.  This needed to change so that Dover was an exciting place to visit and come back to.  

Councillor P Watkins agreed that connectivity, quality and branding were the key issues.  Good connectivity from the seafront to the town hall was crucial, as was linkage with Dover Priory railway station.  Councillor N J Collor agreed that the A20 was the biggest stumbling block, and suggested that the speed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.