Bond City and Laker submit revised scheme for Dover
Published: 28 November, 2011
Developer Bond City, in partnership with Laker Developments, has t submitted a new planning application for its St James’s Street site in Dover
The planning application follows a public consultation last month, which drew a very favourable response to the revised scheme, and the signing earlier this month of a formal development agreement between Bond City and Dover District Council.
The new proposal would provide a total of 120,000 sq ft within the Dover Town Investment Zone (DTIZ). It replaces previous plans for a scheme anchored by an 105,000 sq ft-Asda store with a range of shops, a restaurant and a 100-bed hotel arranged around a central square of landscaped parking.
Asda pulled out of the 8-acre scheme in 2010 and the design has now been completely reworked by architects Lyons+Sleeman+Hoare and Laker Developments. Both English Heritage and Kent County Council have expressed positive views on the revisions at the pre-planning meetings.
The central car park on the site will provide 445 spaces while the 15 retail units will range in size from 2,780 sq ft to 17,500 sq ft. Located close to the port area, the scheme has been designed to reflect maritime influences and the former street layout of the site. It is bounded on one side by Townwall Road, which forms part of the A20 running through Dover.
John Laker of Laker Developments said: “The new proposals are far more town centre oriented and complementary to the existing shopping offer in Dover than the previous ‘big box’ Asda scheme. We believe our development will raise the bar in terms of the quality and range of retailing available in the town and we are already in serious negotiations with national retailers interested in taking space, some of whom are new to Dover.”
Letting agents for the scheme are Jones Lang LaSalle and Stephen Buckle.
