A year after securing a significant funding boost, a major project to revitalize Dover’s historic Western Heights is well underway. Dover District Council (DDC), in partnership with various organizations, is leading efforts to conserve and regenerate this nationally important site.
Key achievements so far include clearing overgrown vegetation from hidden buildings, restoring coastal views, and enhancing safety. The Gun Shed area, previously a hotspot for antisocial behavior, has been cleared and is now safer and more pleasant for visitors, paving the way for future reuse.
Volunteers from the Western Heights Preservation Society and White Cliffs Countryside Partnership have also played a crucial role, particularly in clearing St Martin’s Battery to reveal hidden structures and stunning vistas of Dover.
Improved signage and the installation of solar-powered CCTV are further contributing to positive site management and reducing antisocial behavior. A unique compactor bin featuring “Plassey the Tiger,” a local Victorian legend, has also been added.
This three-year project was launched with a £149,000 grant from Historic England, matched by DDC. The funding has supported a dedicated project officer focused on boosting visitor numbers through events, promotion, and community engagement, aiming to better connect the Western Heights with Dover town and its seafront.
The Western Heights, a vital series of forts and ditches on Dover’s western hilltop, is one of Britain’s most significant fortifications. It encompasses a scheduled monument, listed buildings, a conservation area, and a nature reserve.
Councillor Lynne Wright, DDC’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Property, expressed gratitude to volunteers and highlighted the project’s role in understanding the site’s significance and strengthening partnerships with a shared goal of protecting and enhancing this nationally and internationally important destination.
Alice Brockway from Historic England praised the project’s progress, noting the “excellent results” from strong partnership working, particularly the “biggest visual improvement” seen from clearing vegetation around St Martin’s Battery and the Gun Shed. She encouraged everyone to visit and experience the “phenomenal views.”
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