Ambitious plans now look likely to go ahead to build hundreds of homes, a conference centre, hotel and a visitor centre on two of Dover’s beauty spots.

Dover District Council leader Cllr Paul Watkins has welcomed the decision by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government not to hold a public inquiry into the proposed developments on the Western Heights and at Farthingloe.

He said: “I am pleased that the Secretary of State has agreed that our decision to approve planning permission was the right course of action. He obviously recognised that the huge economic benefits to Dover outweighed what would be very minimal environmental instruction.

“This is about building for the future; unlocking the economic potential of our heritage assets whilst at the same time developing a range, scale and quality of housing to meet the needs of existing and new residents.”

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