The development, of which this is the first phase, is an outstanding £40m economic and social regeneration project for finding future global solutions in green technologies on the former Betteshanger Colliery site near Dover.
The scheme will bring more than 1,000 jobs to East Kent through a combination of construction and sustainable roles in its first phase, creating a centre for green technology business, a national centre of sustainable energy and mining heritage, educational provision and enhance rural tourism to the region.
The Betteshanger Sustainable Parks vision will see the 121 hectare Betteshanger Colliery site transformed into a 21st Century global laboratory for green technologies that brings together business, education, mining heritage, green technology and rural tourism. This is will create economic and social regeneration acting as a catalyst to support much needed growth.
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Work on the site will commence in three phases in 2014 comprising of:
- A bespoke green technologies enterprise complex, a catalyst for creating new markets, technologies and products – Betteshanger Sustainable Business and Commerce Park will be 6,700 square metres of low carbon buildings for companies in food security, environmental technology and green business.
- World-class research and development supported with education at Betteshanger Sustainable Education Centre in environmental and countryside programs, climate change, sustainability, agro ecology and agronomy production in phase 1, with further educational opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate researchers in phase 2.
- A new national eco-tourism visitor destination for over 100,000 visitors per annum at the Betteshanger Sustainable Energy and Mining Heritage Park, showcasing mining heritage and sustainable energy production set within an innovative Landscape Laboratory. The park, a gateway to East Kent historic heritage will provide life-long learning, retail, gardens, external public spaces and events.
The scheme has widespread support and will be led by Hadlow College Group with the Homes and Communities Agency, Dover District Council, East Kent Spatial Development Company and private sector partners. Nationally, it has support from the Departments for Communities and Local Government and Business, Innovation and Skills, the Industrial Coalfields and Coastal Communities Alliances, Kent MPS and Kent County Council.
(CD/JP)
