In action: Kent and Medway: Key activities: Buckland Mill

This regeneration project at the site of the former Buckland Paper Mill is an excellent example of how SEEDA sought to bring new life to a once bustling employment site. Situated along London Road and Crabble Meadow in Dover, the 3.9 hectare Buckland Mill site had previously been owned by paper manufacturers Arjo Wiggins, but the company took the decision to close the plant after relocating its production facilities to Scotland late in 2000.

As with a number of projects, SEEDA recognised the potential in the site for its redevelopment to contribute to the overall programme to regenerate the Buckland area. The redevelopment of the site was seen as a top priority for the area and the plans outlined for the regeneration project quickly elevated it to one of SEEDA's 'flagship' schemes.

Key Results

• Reclamation of 3.9 hectares of brownfield land
• Restoration of River Dour and creation of new wildlife habitats
• Developer Gillcrest Homes selected to partner SEEDA in the redevelopment of the site for a vibrant, mixed-use sustainable scheme

Once Arjo Wiggins had moved its team to Scotland, a small number of employees stayed at the freehold site to oversee its disposal. In March 2002, SEEDA formally acquired the site and associated buildings from Arjo Wiggins. The site comprised a number of industrial and warehouse blocks of mixed age, plus office accommodation within converted and purpose-built buildings. One of the buildings, the former mill owner's house, dated from the eighteenth century and has Grade II listed status. Additionally a culverted river (the River Dour) runs through the site, there is a borehole forming a local water source, and a now decommissioned CHP plant was situated in one corner, constructed to provide energy and heat to the original site when it was in full production.

Basic Facts

• Objective: To regenerate a former paper mill to provide an exemplary sustainable mixed-use development that reaches high standards of architectural and urban design
• SEEDA investment: £3.19million to date, plus significant private developer investment
• Significance to the region: Regeneration of derelict sites; Creation of new mixed-use development; Creation of workspace, residential units and community focussed space; Boosting the local economy; SEEDA strategic added value

In February 2001, prior to the completion of the site acquisition, SEEDA commissioned a master planning exercise to help decide on likely outcomes for the development of the land and buildings and guide the ongoing programme of activity on-site. A variety of suggested end-uses emerged including housing, commercial buildings, community/educational usages and limited retail and leisure uses.

Working with external consultants, planners and architects, SEEDA and Dover District Council agreed a planning brief that set out the parameters for the redevelopment of the site that anticipates the scheme being carried out by a private developer.

In order to present the site as an attractive redevelopment opportunity, a decision was made to demolish 70 per cent of the former mill buildings on site, retaining the Listed Buckland Mill house, along with some of the other unlisted but architecturally and historically important mill buildings (including the clock tower) along the London Road frontage. A decision in conjunction with Dover District Council was made to retain the original mill buildings to keep within the setting of the Buckland Mill Church and the surrounding 'green' area. The industrial buildings dating from 1950 were demolished to make way for the new development. Part of the works included opening up the culverted River Dour, restoring the original river banks to allow the river to run along its original course, the creation of a weir and the development of sheltered backwaters and wetland habitats for wildlife including a 'fish pass' that allows fish to swim against the strong-flowing current to travel up the river. These works have added a pleasant feature to the site that has the potential to expand the biodiversity of the area to new levels not seen since the establishment of the paper mill. These improvements fell into SEEDA's Building For Nature Programme (BFN). BFN was a project that aimed to minimise the impact of building work on the environment as well as securing positive gains for wildlife and habitats during the course of new development.

After the completion of works the site was marketed by local agents Cluttons and Tersons. Via a robust competition process, a number of private developers were selected to present proposals for the site and through a comprehensive evaluation process Gillcrest Homes was selected to partner SEEDA by way of a Development Agreement to redevelop the site.

The site met the agenda in terms of development as a brownfield site, and the re-use of existing and historic buildings, but there are many other factors to consider, including local participation in the content of the scheme, enhanced biodiversity, opening up the site to the local community so that those nearby can once again enjoy the benefits of the site, the provision of community facilities for all and new buildings that embrace sustainability by using less energy and water.

Undoubtedly this is an exciting scheme that demonstrates the work of SEEDA in regenerating local communities and impacts positively on the region.

Plans include the provision of a mixture of new homes built to a Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 standard and will include 30 per cent affordable housing. A cycle route and safe pedestrian walkway along the River Dour is also planned, plus space to provide facilities such as convenience store, bar / restaurant and retail space.

A dedicated community building is also proposed and local people will be encouraged to say how they think that space can best be used.

A new nursing home providing specialist care for the elderly and generating new jobs is also part of the scheme.

Planning permission was granted in July 2009 for the care home and a resolution to grant planning permission for the remainder of the site was given in August 2009.

For further information please contact the Homes & Communities Agency.

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