Appendix 1 Land Allocations Local Plan

Dover District Council
Land Allocations Local Plan Adopted 2015
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3.106 Supplementary Planning Guidance has been adopted by the Council in 2003 for
the redevelopment of this site and this will be used as a material consideration when
determining planning applications www.dover.gov.uk/spg/Buckland-Mill-Planning-Brief.pdf.
3.107 Approximately one third of the site has the benefit of full planning permission for a
mixed use scheme, including up to 141 dwellings, A1 retail, a ‘community hub’ and B1 offices
within the converted Buckland House. The scheme includes a series of public spaces and
the formation of a new vehicle access to the north west of the mill building, from Crabble
Hill. A landscaped ‘wetland’, located between the mill and river, provides ecological interest
and flood storage. Development began in 2012 with the conversion of Buckland House and
a new residential block to the east. Work has yet to begin on the main mill building.
3.108 Early discussions should take place with Southern Water regarding the sewers that
cross the site and these would need to be taken into account as part of any planning
application.
Proposed Development
3.109 In terms of quality and design it is important that the development is laid out carefully
to complement the landmark former mill building along Crabble Hill, and the Grade II Listed
Buckland House and neighbouring St Andrew's Church. The site’s prominent location makes
it appropriate to incorporate foreground buildings that do not detract from the views of the
Church and Dover Castle. Residential development should be designed to maximise and
take full advantage of the site's riverside location. Development should be designed to face
the river but be set back to allow for the creation of a riverside walk and landscaping with
public access. Overall, the site should create and restore the character of Dover (see
Character Areas, paragraphs 3.21 to 3.23).
3.110 The development will be open to views from Crabble Meadows and in order to
increase overlooking it is important that development addresses and responds to this
important public footway. The approach towards the public realm provision will be heavily
shaped by the River and flood risk, as land raising and flood compensation and mitigation
measures will be required. This needs consideration but should not compromise fundamental
design issues. A Design Code should establish design parameters, and be submitted with
any planning application, to guide the future phases of development. There is an opportunity
to use tree planting to improve legibility and assist with the regeneration of the site.
3.111 The layout will need to be designed so that it is not used as a through route for
drivers wishing to avoid the traffic signals at the junction of London Road/Crabble Hill. The
main access into the site should be from Crabble Hill. Opportunity must be made by the
developer to provide for access to and from the site by cycle, foot and public transport. In
particular, the creation of segregated cycle lane along the existing pedestrian footway/road
and the creation of a pedestrian route alongside the River Dour. This route will connect to
the River Dour Greenway, which provides a pleasant and quiet pedestrian and cycle route
through Dover, between Buckland Bridge and the seafront. The site has the potential to
accommodate up to a further 265 dwellings.