Councillors due to consider updated Local Plan for the Dover district

 
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Councillors are due to consider the submission version of the district’s Local Plan at a meeting on Wednesday, October 12. 

The document sets out the vision and framework for future development in the district up to 2040, including where new homes, shops and businesses should be built.  

The plan also includes policies to ensure infrastructure is provided to support new development, to protect and enhance the natural environment, and to mitigate and adapt to climate change. 

A public consultation of the draft document took place during spring 2021, with more than 3,000 comments received. 

These comments were all considered, and alongside national policy and background evidence, have informed an updated version of the Local Plan, with a number of changes made. 

The key changes to site allocations are:  

  • The addition of 17 new housing sites that can accommodate approximately 360 dwellings

  • Two new employment site allocations at White Cliffs Business Park (Phase 4) and Statenborough Farm in Eastry

  • Four sites identified for a mixture of employment to support their regeneration: the former Snowdown Colliery in Aylesham, The Citadel Western Heights, Fort Burgoyne and Dover Waterfront

The following housing site allocations have been removed from the Plan: 

  • 500 homes at north Aylesham  

  • 100 homes at the former Channel Tunnel workers accommodation, Farthingloe 

  • 100 homes in Westcourt Lane, Shepherdswell 

  • Several other housing site allocations including at Lower Gore Field in Eastry, Wycherley Crescent in Dover, the former guide hut in Whitfield and land at Monkton Court Lane have also been removed. 

Overall, the number of homes identified through site allocations has reduced by more than 1,000 dwellings.  

Three strategic housing allocations at Whitfield (up to 6,350 homes), South Aylesham (640 homes) and Elvington/Eythorne (300 homes), are still proposed in the Plan. 

Subject to approval of the Local Plan by councillors, a seven-week consultation will begin on Friday, October 21. 

A Local Plan hotline will be in place and public engagement events held both online and at locations across the district. 

Following the public consultation, the submission version will be sent to the Planning Inspectorate alongside the responses received and supporting documentation.  

The Inspectorate will then carry out independent examination in public of the Plan. 

Cllr Nicholas Kenton, cabinet member for planning and environment, said: “The Local Plan is the blueprint for development in the Dover district over the next 20 years and sits at the heart of the planning system. 

“This important document provides the framework against which all planning decisions are considered. 

“Not only does it provide a framework for housing development, it will also assist in securing much-needed community facilities and services for people living in the Dover district. 

“As well as identifying sites for development, the Local Plan includes policies covering a range of topics such as climate change, design and place-making, the natural and historic environment, town centres, transport and infrastructure. 

“These policies will ensure that development within the district is of high quality, meets the needs of local people and is supported by the necessary infrastructure.” 

To see the updated draft Local Plan go to Dover District Local Plan - Regulation 19 Document 

Posted on 27 September 2022

For media enquiries, Email: pr@dover.gov.uk

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