Draft minutes

It was proposed by Councillor N J Collor and duly seconded that Councillor P A Watkins be elected as Chairman of the meeting.

It was agreed that Councillor P A Watkins be elected as Chairman of the meeting.

It was noted that an apology for absence had been received from Councillor T J Bartlett.

It was noted that there were no substitute members appointed.

It was noted that there were no declarations of interest.

It was agreed that the Group’s Terms of Reference be noted.

The Group received a presentation on the Dover Waterfront Masterplan.   

The Head of Inward Investment clarified that partners involved in the project were the Port of Dover, South East Property Management (as landowners) and Dover District Council (DDC).   Kent County Council (KCC) Highways was also involved in relation to public realm proposals, and a number of other statutory bodies were also engaged, such as Historic England and Highways England.   A number of stakeholder workshops had been held, involving Dover Town Council amongst others.   

Mr Coutts reminded the Group that the Masterplan covered the town centre and the new marina. In accordance with Policy CP08 of the Council’s Core Strategy, it aimed to deliver a minimum of 300 new homes (although this was now closer to 415).      The proposed uses and priorities of the project had been made available to all stakeholders at the last meeting.  Once agreed, these would inform the cost plan and what Section 106 contributions would be sought from developers. 

Mr Coutts advised that a baseline study had been undertaken to identify what was missing from the visitor experience in Dover.  From this research it was evident that a lot of visitor ‘circuits’ converged on Bench Street and involved crossing the A20, the latter highlighting the potential importance of a land-bridge.  It was estimated that the land-bridge would cost £10 million, but this could easily rise to £20 million.  South East Property Management had expressed interest in hosting the land-bridge on its land, but Dover Harbour Board could equally benefit from the bridge depending on where it was sited.    The Head of Inward Investment advised that an equalisation agreement would be needed.

The cable-car would be a key component of the project, with De Bradelei Wharf or Camden Crescent now short-listed as the potential site for the base station, with Granville Gardens the preferred ‘drop-off’ site for operators (the other being Wellington Dock).   There were challenges in ‘threading’ the track through the town, and issues such as cost, health and safety, heritage and proximity to existing properties would come into play.  The appeal of the De Bradelei site was that it would deliver footfall into the heart of Wellington Dock.  Consequently, cable-car operators had been looking for assurances regarding the standard of development at that site.   

The Masterplan included a proposal for ‘Spanish steps’ in Granville Gardens which, like the waterfront area, had great potential as a theatre and events venue.  Proposals for a lido on the seafront would increase the town’s leisure offer.   There would also be space for a cultural building and a Pharos tower.   A funicular railway would take visitors to the apex of the Drop Redoubt, thus providing linkage between the town, the proposed Commonwealth Memorial and the new hotel.  

There were also plans for a (predominantly) residential tower on the marine promenade.  This would be no higher than 21 storeys (or 65 metres) and the design had been changed following feedback from DDC.  In respect of public realm, LDA was looking at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.