Cash boost for port town's plans
A multi-million pound grant has been awarded to a Kent port town to help towards a regeneration project.
The South East England Development Agency (Seeda) will give £7.5m to redevelop the St James's area of Dover.
A masterplan has already been created for the area, to include 75 new homes, a hotel and supermarket, and provide stronger links to the town centre.
The money will help to acquire key sites in the regeneration area so the project can go ahead.
'Sustainable future'
It is hoped the scheme will address problems of high unemployment and economic dependency on the port, by making the town centre more financially attractive and providing a range of jobs.
It comes after many businesses left the centre in recent years to set up on the outskirts.
Pam Alexander, Seeda's chief executive, said: "We look forward to working with partners to create a vibrant, sustainable future for the St James's area as a place for residents and visitors to live, work and spend quality leisure time."
Dover District Council has committed £750,000 to the project and agreed to contribute land worth £500,000, while Kent County Council is giving £500,000.
The St James's site currently contains two car parks, one multi-storey and buildings including an office block.
Source: BBC News
