A thousand fewer homes will be built in the Dover district over the next 20 years, it has been revealed.

A 'draft blueprint' for the future of the district - which includes Dover, Deal and Sandwich - is due to be discussed by councillors tonight.

Known as the Local Plan, the document outlines the framework for future development up to the year 2040, including where new homes, shops and businesses should go.

The proposal states that due to changes over land earmarked for development, 1,000 fewer homes will be built.

In addition, the Plan reveals the areas to be focused on in the coming years.

This includes Dover's developing waterfront, and the historic Citadel, also in Dover.

A new marina, walkways and eateries have been created at Dover's seafront in the last few years as part of Port of Dover's biggest ever investment.

The £250m redevelopment, called the Dover Western Docks Revival, will also include a new motel and restaurants.

The mostly-empty Citadel is also awaiting redevelopment, with plans submitted to fit new shops and cafes into the empty castmates.

The Local Plan, due to be discussed at Dover District Council's extraordinary meeting, also includes policies to ensure there is adequate road and railway support for new development, to protect and enhance the natural environment, and to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

It also covers historic environment, transport and town centres.

A public consultation of the draft document took place during spring 2021, with more than 3,000 comments received.

These were all considered, and alongside national policy and background evidence, have led to an updated version of the Local Plan, with a number of changes made.

The key changes to site allocations are:

- The addition of 17 new housing sites that can take approximately 360 homes

- Two new employment site allocations at the White Cliffs Business Park and Statenborough Farm in Eastry

- Four sites identified for a mixture of employment to support their regeneration. These are the former Snowdown Colliery in Aylesham, The Western Heights Citadel, Fort Burgoyne and Dover waterfront

In addition, three major housing site allocations have been removed.

These are 500 possible homes at north Aylesham, 100 at the former Channel Tunnel workers accommodation at Farthingloe and 100 homes in Westcourt Lane, Shepherdswell.

The same has happened for places such as Lower Gore Field in Eastry, Wycherley Crescent in Buckland, Dover, the former guide hut in Whitfield and land at Monkton Court Lane, Eythorne.

Overall, the number of homes identified through site allocations has reduced by more than 1,000.

Three others, at Whitfield (up to 6,350 homes), South Aylesham (640 homes) and Elvington/Eythorne (300 homes), are still proposed in the Plan.

Subject to approval of the Local Plan by councillors, a seven-week consultation will begin on Friday, October 21.

A Local Plan hotline will be in place and public engagement events held both online and at locations across the district.

Following all this the submission version will be sent to the Planning Inspectorate alongside the responses received and supporting documentation.

That organisation will then independently examine it.

Cllr Nicholas Kenton, cabinet member for planning and environment, said: “The Local Plan is the blueprint for development in the Dover district over the next 20 years.

“It provides the framework against which all planning decisions are considered.

“Not only does it provide a framework for housing development, it will also assist in securing much-needed community facilities and services. "

The extraordinary meeting is from 6pm tonight at the Dover District Council offices at the White Cliffs Business Park in Whitfield.