Social Value Ideas for Dover District Council

Sandwich boatyard scheme refused

The committee refused a scheme for three dwellings and four flats at the former boatyard in Strand Street, Sandwich. Reasons included overdevelopment, harm to the conservation area and listed setting,…

“The application before you is for the erection of three dwellings and four flats with associated access and landscaping. Uh just a couple of points. U…”

Finglesham dwelling approved with tree retention

A new dwelling at The Street, Finglesham was approved as policy-compliant, with members accepting an amendment to explicitly retain existing trees/planting. The discussion highlighted concerns about t…

“So with this boundary planting and the distance, we consider appropriate um screening for that property. The proposals generally are policy compliant.…”

Deal conservation-area house approved

The committee approved a new dwelling on Clan William Road/Stanley Road in Deal within the conservation area after amendments to replace uPVC with timber windows and lower the roof height. Members acc…

“So there's been concerns um set as set out in the report relating to so materials but the windows are amended from UPVC to timber because it's within …”

Park remains loss-making

The owners stated that Betshanger Country Park is currently loss-making and financially difficult to sustain, creating continuing pressure to find new income-generating uses. They said they are trying…

“Now, we've owned it for seven years. There's no legal obligation for us to keep that park open. And the guys are right who spoke. It is a loss making …”

Ongoing capital and operating spend

The owners described substantial historic and ongoing investment in the park, including refurbishment of the visitor centre and regular weekly operating spend to keep the site open. They also highligh…

“The museum has a lease on that. So you can't get rid of them. If you were to if we were to sell the uh park, which is extremely unlikely for all the r…”

Community buyout explored

Multiple speakers raised the possibility of a community bid or community-led ownership model for the park, supported by the new community empowerment legislation and ACV status. The owners said they w…

“I think the committee can support the development of the park as an asset of community value and for the community to construct a bid for the purchase…”

Strand Street apartments approved

Planning permission was granted for first and second floor extensions at 6A-6C Strand Street to create two residential apartments above existing commercial units. Members added an archaeological watch…

“Good evening members, chair. Uh so this application is uh 6A 6B 6C Stern Street in Sandwich. Planning permission is proposed for the erection of first…”

Viability over affordable housing

For the Deal mixed-use scheme, updated viability evidence showed the development could not support on-site or off-site affordable housing. Members accepted that, despite disappointment that the origin…

“As set out in the report, the Section 106 agreement was never agreed or signed due to viability concerns and decisions were never issued. These applic…”