by Kathy Bailes

MULTIMILLION pound redevelopment plans for the Western Heights and Great Farthingloe Farm have moved forward.

As exclusively revealed in the Express last month Dover Gateway Limited (DGL), in partnership with specialist development company Priory Land, is hoping to redevelop 25 acres of land at the Western Heights and 275 acres at Great Farthingloe.

The proposals, which need approval from Dover District Council and English Heritage, could see housing, a hotel and restorative work on heritage sites, such as the Grand Shaft and Drop Redoubt at the Heights, and a mixed development with a country park sited at Great Farthingloe.

Now Priory Land chief executive Kevin Dougall has revealed that following "positive" talks with English Heritage a meeting is to be arranged with the National Trust about the possibility of setting up a Visitor Information Centre at Farthingloe.

Mr Dougall said: "In terms of Western Heights, we had a very positive meeting with English Heritage.

"There was unanimous agreement around the importance of restoring the heritage assets on Western Heights, before they deteriorate further, and there is now a window of opportunity to facilitate that.

"Everyone was agreed on the need to make these assets more freely accessible to visitors and to the people of Dover and Kent on whose doorstep they sit.

"There was also discussion on how best this could be brought about and how it is to be funded. Dover Gateway Limited anticipates contributing to the cost and further discussions will be held on this important issue once we have a clearer understanding of the nature, scope and cost of the restoration works.

"The conclusion that was drawn, subject of course to wider consultation and the various statutory approval processes that must be gone through, was that once restored the heritage assets would sit comfortably within a general redevelopment of Western Heights; as long as the redevelopment was very carefully and thoughtfully designed and implemented.

"We see Western Heights as part of a rich feast of historic assets that, once restored and made accessible, will put Dover firmly on the international tourist map."

At Farthingloe the firm hopes to create the information centre at the western end of the Heritage Trail being created by DDC.

Mr Dougall said: " A meeting with the National Trust is in the process of being arranged so the ideas for this, and the Country Park, can be developed further."

Great Farthingloe Farm currently has planning permission for 225,000 sq ft of offices. It is hoped the first phase of development will deliver 400 homes, grouped around a village green and shops, by next year with prices ranging between £225,000 and £325,000.

The firm has also donated some of the Farthingloe land to the White Horse project by Wingham designer Ian Morrison, who hopes to create a 100-ft statue of the Invicta horse emblem at the site.

Mr Dougall said: "We are supporting the White Horse project by donating some of the land at Farthingloe for it to sit on, assuming the necessary statutory consents can be obtained. Ian Morrison's enthusiasm for the project, and Kent proved infectious."

The land was bought by DGL for £5 million in March from parent firm China Gateway International plc (CGI). Priory Land provided the cash as an interest-free loan.

Public consultation on the proposals is in the process of being arranged and will be launched "in the weeks ahead".