Hadlow College, its partners and the Government has unveiled the Betteshanger Sustainable Parks development.
The development, of which this is the first phase, is an outstanding £40m economic and social regeneration project for finding future global solutions in green technologies on the former Betteshanger Colliery site near Dover.
The scheme will bring over 1000 jobs to East Kent through a combination of construction and sustainable roles in its first phase, creating a centre for green technology business, a national centre of sustainable energy and mining heritage, educational provision and enhance rural tourism to the region.
The Betteshanger Sustainable Parks vision will see the 121 hectare Betteshanger Colliery site transformed into a 21st Century global laboratory for green technologies that brings together business, education, mining heritage, green technology and rural tourism. This is will create economic and social regeneration acting as a catalyst to support much needed growth.
Work on the site will commence in three phases in 2014 comprising of:
- A bespoke green technologies enterprise complex, a catalyst for creating new markets, technologies and products – Betteshanger Sustainable Business and Commerce Park will be 6,700 square metres of low carbon buildings for companies in food security, environmental technology and green business.
- World-class research and development supported with education at Betteshanger Sustainable Education Centre in environmental and countryside programs, climate change, sustainability, agro ecology and agronomy production in phase 1, with further educational opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate researchers in phase 2.
- A new national eco-tourism visitor destination for over 100,000 visitors per annum at the Betteshanger Sustainable Energy and Mining Heritage Park, showcasing mining heritage and sustainable energy production set within an innovative Landscape Laboratory. The park, a gateway to East Kent historic heritage will provide life-long learning, retail, gardens, external public spaces and events.
Charlie Elphicke, MP for Dover & Deal, comments: “This is a real victory for the hard work of so many who have fought so hard to make this project happen. It has been a long battle for me to deliver the Government funding needed. Yet at last we seem to have got there and Hadlow College deserve high praise for the future they are seeking to make.
"Betteshanger Sustainable Parks development is the result of many years work which we are delighted to announce today. The £40 million scheme is backed by £11 million public sector investment (of which £6million is confirmed) and £29 million support from private investors (in principal subject to planning) with further opportunities for investors to get involved. Investors will have the strongest support from the community - a community committed to seeing more jobs, money and economic growth."
The scheme has widespread support. Led by Hadlow College Group with the Homes and Communities Agency, Dover District Council, East Kent Spatial Development Company and private sector partners. Nationally it has support from the Departments for Communities and Local Government and Business, Innovation and Skills, the Industrial Coalfields and Coastal Communities Alliances, Kent MPS and Kent County Council.
Principal of Hadlow College, Paul Hannan, says: "We are the cross county college for Kent, and creating a larger presence in East Kent is crucial to offering our outstanding level of education to the local community of Dover District and beyond. This is a landmark for Hadlow College and today is a major step forward."
Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, Director of Finance and Resources at Hadlow College and the vision behind the scheme, comments: “This is the culmination of a vision that was planned four years ago. It is a testament to all involved that we are launching such a pivotal scheme.
"Dover is already the UK’s international gateway and it will now play a significant global role in knowledge and green technology industries. Equally heritage tourism, a premier UK industry already is increasingly linked to green technologies and eco tourism and success is dependent on the creation of new innovative projects such as this. We will build on an available tourism market in Dover District of 15.3 million visitors per year, many of whom will make use of the high speed rail link to the town.”
“The supply of incubator space for green technology companies and the food and drink industry is critical for Kent to build on its proximity to international markets in Europe, London and globally via Manston Airport. Working with the enterprise zone and the priorities of the local enterprise partnership we will ensure that we bring education, skills and business together promoting the green technology credentials this park represents. Today is a crucial milestone, however the journey continues.”
The Homes and Community Agency (HCA) is the Government's key delivery partner in unlocking land. As the landowner, the HCA actively marketed Betteshanger and selected Hadlow College as the preferred bidder. The site was sold to Hadlow College in the summer of this year.
Naisha Polaine, Head of Area for Kent and Essex for the HCA, comments: "We are honoured to be working with Hadlow College to create this exciting new development Betteshanger Sustainable Parks which will lead to new jobs, a higher education campus, new sustainable industries and a 21st century park facility. As previous owners of the former Betteshanger Colliery we have invested significantly in this site, for example creating a new Country Park, so we are really looking forward to the development progressing over the next year. A key feature of the Betteshanger Sustainable Energy and Mining Heritage Park will be the Sustainable Energy Visitor Centre and Country Park, which will bring together mining heritage and the demonstration of future forms of energy.”
Nick Boyle, CEO of Lightsource Renewable Energy, the UK's leading solar energy generator, comments: "We are delighted to be involved with such a pioneering project. The developers of Betteshanger Sustainable Park's facilities have recognised the real important of sustainability for future generations.”
