Planning Issues, January 2012
The Deal Society is currently engaged in the following issues:
Sholden housing developments
Just before Christmas 2011, the Dover District Council Planning Committee, on a Chairman's vote, gave the go-ahead for nearly 500 homes to be built betwenn Deal and Sholden. Despite massive objections from the Parish and Town councils, the Member of Parliament, the Deal Society and many local people, the committee decided that the applications could not be refused on strict planning grounds. The Parish Council, together with other local bodies, is investigating whether a judicial review is a viable possibility. We will keep you posted.
The Quarterdeck
The Quarterdeck building is a redundant, one-storey, structure opposite the pier. Two years ago Dover District Council put forward a planning application to demolish the building and build a block of flats incorporating six tiny shops on the ground floor. The development was judged by many people to be mediocre and unworhty of a town centre location. Despite considerable opposition, permission to demolish was given but the planning process was never completed. Since then, Dover District Council has been unable to dispose of the site but early in December set a deadline of December 6th for any bids for it. We await developments.
The Regent
The Regent, a former bingo hall on the Deal seafront has been empty for a number of years. During 2011, Dover District Council sold the building to Silver Screen Cinemas. We understand that the new owners are undertaking a wholesale renovation but the cinema may not open until 2013.
Flood Defences
For over two years, the Deal Society has been engaged in a consultation with the Environment Agency about the urgent need for new sea flood defences for the town. The area most at risk is the promenade stretching from the Royal Hotel to the group of fishing boats opposite the Queens flats. A new wave wall has been designed for that area and assuming that it gets planning permission it will be installed between September and Christmas 2012. The shingle beach along this stretch also requires replenishment.
The other critical area is the coast north of Sandown Castle where a granite boulder barrier will be installed. We understand that Deal qualifies for 100% government funding for these strategic improvements.
Shop Fronts Consultation
In the latter part of 2011, Dover District Council has been carrying out a public consultation on the character of shop fronts and windows in conservation areas. As most of Deal High Street falls within a conservation area this is highly relevant to the future character of the town. The Deal Society has made a detailed submission to the District Council about the policy document which it largely supports.
Wetherspoons
Three years ago a brewery chain applied for permission to change the former job centre into a public house. There were reservations at the time because of the concentration of pubs in the town centre. Nevertheless, Dover District Council gave consent and renewed that consent in 2011. It then became clear that it was to be a Wetherspoons pub. Opinion in the town is divided about it but there is a view that formidable national chains are an endorsement of the economic vitality of Deal and that is the general view that the Deal Society Executive Committee holds.
Recycling and wheely bins
Dover District Council has to respond to national government and European directives for waste disposal and recycling. In 2011 it introduced a controversial new system which is widely used in other parts of the United Kingdom. The weakness in the implementation was the failure to document properly the needs of individual households, especially those with difficult access. As a result, there has been widespread criticism. Nevertheless, if individual households contact the property department at Dover District Council, the staff there are extremely helpful about discussing the specific needs of individual households.
A heritage strategy for the district
Dover District Council, in collaboration with Kent County Council and English Heritage, is drawing up a strategy for all forms of heritage assets in the district. The Deal Society is regarded as a stakeholder in this exercise and attended the first consultation in December 2011. We understand that this is the first time a District Council in England has attempted this and so it is regarded as a pioneering piece of work. At the consultation, it became clear that conservation and heritage departments are under resourced and therefore under threat. Participants at the consultation stressed that local councils should engage much more with civic and conservation societies which often have a wealth of experience and expertise.