Buckland Mill, which occupies a prime 3.9 hectare site on the banks of the Dour, is now subject to a planning application for a mixed-use development.
The move follows a development agreement negotiated by Vertex Law on behalf of the developer, Gillcrest Homes, with the site owner, the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).
Vertex Law’s Robert Dodgson said it was a very complex deal that resulted in a high quality, imaginative scheme going before Dover planners.
The proposal comprises affordable and private housing, restaurant/bar, convenience store, nursing home, children's outdoor play areas and community facilities.
SEEDA has already demolished a number of derelict buildings and removed the culverting from the River Dour, which runs through the centre of the site, formerly an Arjo Wiggins paper manufacturing plant. The river has been restored to its original course and it is anticipated this will be an attractive draw for residents and employees who live and work at the site in the future.
Development Manager for Gillcrest Homes, Alan Burns, said it is an exciting and ambitious project and the company is delighted to be a part of it. Gillcrest Homes is committed to creating high quality housing, employment potential and integrated community facilities and hopes the redevelopment of the site will be a catalyst for the future regeneration of the whole Dover area.
Gillcrest was one of a number of developers who put forward proposals for the site. According to SEEDA, Gillcrest's submission scored highly in the evaluation due to the mix of uses, the contemporary architectural design proposed and the inclusion of many sustainability measures.
Buckland Mill finally closed on 30th June 2000 ending a tradition of paper making on the site that went back to at least the 18th Century.
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