Consultation on the first draft of the Local Plan was agreed by DDC's Cabinet today and will be launched late January 2021.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, DDC has been busy preparing the Local Plan that will set out the vision and framework for future development in the district for the next 20 years to 2040. A new dedicated website launches in late January where people can view the draft Local Plan and comment online. Consultation will last for 8 weeks.

The results of the consultation will be published and considered by members.  For more information, please see today's Press Release.

• More on Local Plan 

The EU transition period is due to end on 31 December 2020.  From 1 January 2021 new rules will apply. 

Make sure you are ready - to find the latest guidance and information on what you can do now, please see the GOV.UK website.  

Plans on how Kent will deal with potential traffic disruption at the end of the Brexit transition period have been published. The plan was developed by the multi-agency Kent Resilience Forum (KRF) in partnership with national government.

• More on Brexit Transition

Following the easing of national restrictions on 2 December, all of Kent and Medway now have restrictions at the very high Tier 3 level.

This means a range of restrictions are now in place.  Restrictions are due to be reviewed on 16 December. For full details, please see the latest Government guidance.

DDC continues to work closely with partners to provide vital support for communities, and we continue to provide a range of key services across the district.

If you need help and support, please contact our Community Hub. 

Wash hands, cover face, make space.

• See latest Government advice

Government has confirmed that between 23 and 27 December, people can form an exclusive 'Christmas bubble' with up to three households. Please remember to celebrate safely. 

We've confirmed our seasonal recycling and waste collections, please see latest details on our Christmas arrangements pages.

We've also confirmed that there will be free car parking in DDC owned off-street car parks on 24, 25 & 26 December 2020 and 1 January 2021.

Council offices remain closed to the public at the moment due to the pandemic, but we continue to provide key services. If you need to contact us over the Christmas holiday period, please see our website or call us on (01304) 821199.

• More on Christmas arrangements

Dover District Council has awarded £23,000 to 42 local community groups around the district from the winter round of its Community Grants Scheme.

This followed news that we allocated more than £20,000 to 31 different groups as part of the summer scheme.  This included local group Deal With IT, pictured here being presented with a cheque for £832 by the Leader of DDC, Cllr Trevor Bartlett.

We've also recently awarded more than £60,000 in Emergency Assistance Grant money from Central Government to help local groups through the pandemic

• Community Grants Scheme

We've seen a range of new investment in the district, including a new Co-op opening at Buckland Mill (pictured) and a Home Bargains opening at Whitfield creating over a hundred new jobs.  

In November, a report was highlighted that outlined the positive social and economic impact of the Sandwich Pfizer site. 

The Government is providing support grants to help businesses impacted by the national and local lockdowns. A range of grants is being administered locally by DDC.

For more details on business support, please see our business pages.

•  More on Back to Business

Plans for an £8m revival of the Grade I Listed Maison Dieu in Dover are set to go ahead in 2021 thanks to a £4.27m grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

The project will include the restoration of internationally significant decorative schemes by the renowned Victorian neo-Gothic architect, William Burges, and a new street-level visitor entrance to Connaught Hall, along with improved access throughout the building. 

DDC's Cabinet has also made the key decision today to carry out a £80,000 refurbishment of the Deal Timeball Tower. For more information, please see our latest Press Release.

• More on Maison Dieu

Are you winter ready?  December is now upon us, and with the arrival of cold damp weather and darker evenings, we must now get ready for the winter months ahead.

To help you get Winter Ready, DDC has pulled together a wide range of advice and useful information on our Winter pages.  This includes advice on keeping warm and well, preparing for winter weather, and looking out for vulnerable family and neighbours.

Residents living in Dover District can now benefit from grant-funded gas central heating to help them keep warm and well this winter.  For more details, see our Press Release.

• More on being winter ready

The decennial census is almost upon us.

Households in Dover District will soon be asked to take part in the nationwide survey of housing and the population. It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941.

Information from the digital-first census will help decide how services are planned and funded in your local area. This could mean things like doctors’ surgeries, housing or new bus routes.

Households will receive a letter with a unique access code in the post, allowing them to complete their questionnaire online. Paper questionnaires will be available on request. Census day is March 21.

• More on Census 2021