Another step forward has been taken in the redevelopment of a giant former fortress.

Planning permission has been given to re-use one of the accommodation blocks at Dover’s Citadel for overnight stays by council and emergency services workers during training sessions.

It comes as the entire area is set to be overhauled, with a hotel and leisure centre among plans to transform the historic site.

Dover District Council has now given planning permission to use Sandwich House again.

The building was created in the 1970s as one of three identical blocks for when the Citadel, at the Western Heights, was used as a borstal.

The application to use it for ‘secure training accommodation’ came from site owners Dover Citadel Ltd.

Sandwich House has already been used for professionals on exercises in the recent past so the granting of this application formalises this.

The wider Citadel is already a training ground for both the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police.

No physical changes are needed to the scale and mass of Sandwich House.

The plans include 40 beds in 34 en-suite rooms, while the 98-space car park at the Citadel entrance will be available for those using it.

The building is over two storeys and has a total 949.9 sq m floor space.

David de Min, chief executive of Dover Citadel Ltd, said: “The Citadel redevelopment is part of a multi-phased planning strategy unlocking pockets of value.

“I truly believe Dover is a sleeping giant that is only a train hop from London.”

A report to the council from planning consultants DPP said: “The Western Heights is recognised as an under-used heritage asset. The principle of new use within the fort is to achieve a more productive use of the fortifications, increase its appreciation by the general public and to improve its general physical condition.”

The permission for Sandwich House was granted through officers’ delegated powers, meaning it did not have to be voted on by the planning committee.

This happens in 90% of applications if there are almost no objections and no councillor says a scheme should go before their colleagues.

Nobody in this case raised any objection with the council.

The Citadel was created as a full fortress in the Napoleonic era. It was in constant military use until the Prisons Commission took it over in 1954.

In the following years it was used for adult or youth custody and Sandwich House, Hastings House and Romney House were all eventually built as accommodation for this.

Dover Citadel Ltd was in spring 2022 given planning permission to open six small business units, including for cafés, within the wider Citadel as part of the area’s redevelopment.

These will be formally opened on June 24 with a giant arts fair.