Aylesham Village Expansion
The village of Aylesham is situated between Canterbury and Dover
on an area that was open farm land prior to 1927. Coal was
discovered in Kent at the end of the 19th Century and in 1912 the
first coal was raised at the surface of Snowdown Colliery.
During this time there was a rapid expansion in the Kent
Coalfield and in an effort not to distort the surrounding
communities it was decided to build a new ‘town’ of Aylesham,
between Snowdown Colliery and a proposed new shaft at Adisham.
Following the economic depression and general strike of 1926 in
support of the miners, many miners who were in danger of losing
their jobs in their local areas of North East England, Scotland and
Wales travelled south to Kent in search of a future. In 1927
a new community evolved in the village as miners’ families migrated
from their traditional mining areas with the mining culture
bringing diverse communities together to form a common bond and
unique settlement.
The village is still largely inhabited by the same families and
through the newer generations Aylesham has retained much of the
culture and traditions brought by parents and grandparents.
The community has also developed a unique accent which has been
derived through a combination of traces of Northern, Scottish,
Welsh and a mixture of Kentish dialects.
Aylesham has been identified as a strategic opportunity site to
provide up to 1200 new homes and associated employment and
recreational uses. In early 2006 Hillreed and Ward Homes
Development Companies were chosen by Dover District Council and
Aylesham Parish Council to progress this venture to produce homes
and amenities to the highest quality and sustainability.
A resolution to grant was passed by Planning Committee in
September 2009 and since that time the developers and the Council
have been working hard to ensure that the planning conditions are
met. The developers have applied for kickstart funding from the
Homes and Communities Agency to help support delivery of this
scheme in what is now difficult financial times in the housing
sector.
Although similar schemes across the Country have stalled during
the recession, it is encouraging that this scheme continues to
press forward with both developer and Council committed to
delivering a viable and exciting development for Aylesham and
the District.
As at September 2011, negotiations are continuing to secure a
final agreement and move forward with the development.
Aylesham Village Website
The community website for Aylesham is www.ayleshamvillage.co.uk
Contact Regeneration
Email: regeneration@dover.gov.uk
Tel: 01304 872424
Post: Regeneration Unit, Dover District Council, White Cliffs
Business Park, Dover CT16 3PJ
