CLOSURE OF THE WOOLCOMBER STREET CAR PARK IN DOVER
Dover District Council (DDC) has approved McDonald's proposal for a new opening in the Woolcomber Street car park. DDC plans to close the old car park by Thursday, November 13, but also states that the decision is still subject to the outcome of a public consultation. The Council is asking residents for their views on the proposed closure and states it will 'examine and take into consideration' any responses received before the deadline of Sunday, November 9. DDC believes the car park is 'surplus to current parking needs' and says that building on the site will 'support the economic development of the district.' DDC re-approved the food chain's project for the second time in June. The Council had initially given the green light for the chain to open on the car park and the adjacent former Dover Leisure Centre site, but had to revoke its approval following protests from an activist group calling themselves the Friends of the Castle Conservation Area (FCCA). DDC admitted it had failed to fulfil its duties regarding two sections of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 at the time of the initial project approval. Consequently, the application was sent back to the committee for re-evaluation, and an updated Planning Officer's report was drawn up, which included an improved historical and archaeological impact statement, to 'address the grounds' for the judicial review. The project noted that it would cause 'less than substantial harm' to historical sites such as the Grade II listed St James' Church, which stands next to the lot, and the nearby Dover Castle. A DDC spokesperson said the authority is 'following due process' by launching a consultation on the car park closure. 'We are required to conduct a consultation when we consider closing one of our car parks,' they stated. 'The consultation will gather the views of the community and interested parties, and any objections and observations will be carefully and objectively considered.' DDC states that any objection 'must explain the impact on traffic in the locality to be valid.
