News

Five hundred new homes are to be built on Dover's Connaught barracks site overlooking the English Channel, it was announced today (16 October).

English Partnerships said it had acquired the site from the Ministry of Defence.

Baroness Ford, Chairman of English Partnerships visited the former barracks this morning to officially make the announcement.

Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council said: “The Barracks site is a major step to enable a range of houses and a level of development that will complement the district’s emerging regeneration agenda. English Partnerships and sister organization SEEDA are in Dover for the long term and the public should be reassured the right type of development with the best possible eco-standards will be taking place.”

Last year, it was proposed to build an open prison on the barracks site, but the then home secretary John Reid dropped the plans because of "powerful" local arguments against it.

It followed a two-month campaign by residents and the town's council and MP Gwyn Prosser.