For many people, Dover is only associated with making holiday journeys to and from mainland Europe . However, it is an ancient Cinque Port which has long been Britain's chief gateway to mainland Europe and it is the busiest passenger and roll on/roll off port in the world. Of the 36,400 jobs within the District, approximately 20,000 are concentrated at Dover with some 5,000 being related to the Port itself. However, there is far more to the District than the Port. Occupying 31,000 hectares (just over 120 square miles) with a 32 kilometre (20 mile) coastline along the English Channel, the District contains the towns of Dover, Deal and Sandwich, together with an extensive rural area. The population of the District is 108,674 (mid 1998 estimate).

The District has a rich mix of both natural and man made environments including the world famous White Cliffs of Dover. It is internationally and nationally important for its landscape and wildlife, and has a wealth of fine buildings of architectural and historic importance, with many picturesque villages. In the north of the District is the small historic town of Sandwich which has been described as possibly the most complete mediaeval town in England.

In addition to excellent links with the rest of Europe, the District is served by two trunk roads to London, approximately 120 kilometres (74 miles away) - the A20/M20 via Folkestone and Ashford and the A21M2 (the historic Dover Road) via Canterbury. Two main rail lines also follow these routes to London. Within a short travel time, access is possible to the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone and to Eurostar at Ashford.

 

Local Economy

Employment in the District has been through a decade of intensive change as a result of factors such as the Channel Tunnel, the Single European Market and the closure of the East Kent Coalfield. The Council has long recognised that it is vital to broaden the District's range of employment opportunities and it is an objective to foster new employment throughout the District. The Council has worked hard with others, including developing its own land, to promote a major new employment area called the White Cliffs Business Park at Whitfield. New development has taken place within Phase 1, including the White Cliffs Business Centre. The former Old Park Barracks nearby will benefit from major road improvements and is being developed by Dover Harbour Board as the port zone.

To maintain a supply of land for jobs, 31 hectares of land have been designated as Phase 2 with a link to a further 20 hectares to form Phase 3. The site adjoins a full direct grade separated junction with the A2 at the point where it is joined by the A256. This latter road is an important link to Thanet and its upgrading, including the Whitfield Bypass, was completed in 1997. This will also benefit an important employment area at Sandwich which includes Pfizer Ltd, one of the world's top pharmaceutical companies, and one of the District's "blue chip" employers. The Council will continue to work with government agencies such as the South East England Development Agency and the private sector to bring about much needed new jobs. Another world class company, TAG McLaren has now commenced works to develop a new production and testing facility based around the Lydden Racing Circuit. Other notable successes have included the Cruise Liner Terminal at the Dover Western Docks, De Bradelei Wharf Shopping Centre at Wellington Dock and the Aylesham Community Workshop Scheme.

The Council is also bringing more jobs and prosperity to the District through a Tourism and Marketing strategy promoting the District as White Cliffs Country. This has been complemented by environmental improvements within the urban areas and the White Cliffs Countryside Project. This award winning project is sponsored by the Council, together with other Local Authorities, Government Agencies and private sector partners such as Eurotunnel and the Folkestone and District Water Services. The role of the Project is to manage and enhance the White Cliffs which are of national importance, together with the adjacent countryside . Since 1989, the Project has expanded to take in much of the District and is now working to improve the environment of the former East Kent coal field following successful bids by the Council under succeeding rounds of the Single Regeneration Budget.

 

What is Planning?

Planning is concerned with the best use and development of land and buildings for the benefit of everyone whilst protecting the natural environment from harm for the benefit of future generations. It is concerned with the use of land as much as with new building works. It is important to recognise that planning is there to protect the public interest - it is not to protect the private interests of any one person against those of another.

The town and country planning system has not changed in its essentials since it was established in 1947. The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Planning and Compensation Act 1991 now set down the duties, responsibilities and powers of local planning authorities. Both the Kent County Council and the Dover District Council prepare the Development Plan which is the basis for deciding planning applications and for guiding investment over the coming years. This comprises a Structure Plan which is a broad strategic plan for the whole county and local plans which deal with more local issues. The Kent Structure Plan, which was adopted in 1996, has been produced by the County Council in consultation with the Kent District Councils and other interested groups. It looks to the year 2011 and sets the framework for the preparation by the District Councils of local plans and for their development control and related functions. It will shortly begin its 4th Review when it must accept the challenge of providing land for many new homes.

In Dover District, the main thrust of the current Structure Plan is towards widening the range of jobs and keeping housing provisions at approximately static levels. The Structure Plan also includes relevant general policies on issues such as shopping provision, tourism and recreation and the conservation of the countryside and buildings. The contents of the Structure Plan are carried forward in the Council's Local Plan, the Dover District Local Plan, which has been through a Public Inquiry and is nearing adoption. The District Council is responsible for determining nearly all planning applications, although the County Council is responsible for minerals and waste disposal.

People often care deeply about their surroundings and planning issues can arose strong feelings. The Council has recognised this and has prepared a Code of Conduct to ensure and demonstrate that the Council takes its planning decisions openly, impartially and for sound, justifiable reasons. It is a public guide to the conduct of all the District's Councillors and staff who come into contact with the planning process. It is available to the public free of charge and is kept under regular review.

In planning for the future of the District, we should not lose sight of global concerns. Since the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, it has been widely accepted that rising pollution levels and using up the earth's limited resources cannot continue indefinitely. We need new ways of considering how and where future development should take place if, at a local level, the problems of global warming are to be tackled. These concerns are expressed through the concept of sustainable development which requires decisions to be taken in a way which will not compromise the choices of future generations. This theme is strongly addressed in the Development Plan and the Council is drawing up a Local Agenda 21 Strategy.

The Planning and Building Control Division

This Division of the Council's Planning and Technical Services Department is housed at the Council Offices at Whitfield and is made up of three sections. These are Forward Planning (local plans), Development Control (planning applications and appeals) and Building Control (safety and standards of new building works). Within Development Control and Building Control, there are small teams dealing with specific areas of the District and you should contact the appropriate area officer if you have a query. In addition, there is a separate small Conservation team specialising in conservation areas and listed buildings, ecological matters, and tree and woodland preservation. The Department has a receptionist who is able to deal with general enquiries. However, it is always advisable to make an appointment if you wish to speak to an Officer as most of their work requires site visits and so they may not be available if you just call at the offices without checking first.

 

 

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