Make Dover exhibition

Massive regeneration plans costing almost £8 million are the focus of an exhibition in Dover.

Details about aims for a revamp of the sea front, refurbishment done and in progress at Dover Castle, a proposal for a cable car to link the castle, town and esplanade, work at the Bleriot monument and a cultural survey are on display at the Dover Discovery Centre in Market Square.

The Make Dover presentation hopes to show people what will happen to the town using Sea Change cash from government-funded Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (Cabe). The money is being match-funded by a partnership between Kent County Council, Dover District Council, English Heritage, Seeda and Dover Harbour Board. Dover Pride, an organisation made up of representatives from councils, businesses and local people, is supporting the plans.

Dover has to pay its share, £250,000, by March 2010.

Visitors to the exhibition will be asked for their views on designs for the sea front which include an artificial beach, rock pools and art work.

Chairman of Dover Pride and KCC Cabinet Member for Regeneration Kevin Lynes said: "There are some very exciting projects in the pipeline for Dover. We want to hear the views of Dover residents about how we should take these forward."

Organisers also want to find out what cultural activities residents are involved in through a cultural survey, being carried out by MUF Architecture. Dover Arts Development (DAD) is also hosting a series of free workshops at the centre from Saturday.

It is hoped that the Sea Change projects will bring thousands more visitors to Dover and encourage port passengers to visit the castle, generating a new tourist trade in day and long stay visitors.

Make Dover is open now and will run until September 1.

*Anyone interested in finding out more about the Sea Change programme or DAD workshops or getting involved in some of the projects and workshops can find out more at www.seachangedover.co.uk or www.dadonline.eu.

Source: This is Kent