News

BUSINESS PARK TO BRING THOUSANDS OF NEW JOBS

A £100 million business park, which is set to bring thousands of new jobs to Dover, has been given the go ahead by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

The development would help ease the dependence on the port to provide work for people in Dover and the neighbouring areas.

Proposals for the White Cliffs Business Park in Whitfield, a 27-hectare site which could eventually bring 3,000 new jobs to the area, were put forward by AMEC Developments and agreed by Dover District Council's Planning Committee last year, subject to a legal agreement.

The business park is expected to include a mix of office, warehouse and industrial accommodation, and initial development of small start-up units.

To assist with the cost of new infrastructure, services and roads to open up the site for development, a DIY retail store is also being proposed.

Dover District Council leader, Councillor Paul Watkins, said: "For far too long Dover has been unable to provide suitably located modern business parks.

"This site has long been identified as being of strategic importance for the provision of jobs and the opportunity to diversify employment, complementing port-related activity."

Dover and Deal MP Gwyn Prosser said: "This is great news for Dover. I've been pleased to support the council in promoting this crucial development ."

Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration Graham Gibbens said: "This is good news for the regeneration of Dover and for the wider Kent economy.

"It will mean more jobs for local people and the White Cliffs Business Park will grow to its full potential as a flagship site for local businesses. The county council is right behind this."