Planning permission has been granted for a 250,000 sq ft business park on the site of the former Snowdown Coalfield site near Aylesham in
The scheme is part of the South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA) and English Partnership’s National Coalfield Programme, with SEEDA buying and developing the sites and English Partnerships providing the finance.
More than 470 acres have already been regenerated through this programme
SEEDA will now work out detailed plans with Dover Council before going to market to look for a development partner.
Outline permission has also been given for a 74-acre country park at the 123-acre Snowdown site.
The planning application was submitted in October last year, with the delay attributed to the technical planning issues due to the complexity of the project.
The Snowdown colliery was closed in 1987, which in turn led to the closure of the local school and library.
Cllr Frederick Scales, deputy leader of Dover Council, said: “We are continuing to work closely with SEEDA for the future of the district.
“This is another important step for the area and complements the district’s emerging and exciting regeneration agenda.”
SEEDA is also waiting planning permission for its mixed-use masterplan for Aylesham village, which includes 1,100 new homes, retail units and a public square.
