Dover Masterplan

Location: Dover Waterfront, Kent, UK
Client: Dover District Council‍
Constraints: Historic town, archaeology, maintain A21, multiple landowners, flood risk (Sea level rise)
Scope: New land bridge to cross the A2, New Cable Car to link Dover Castle to the city centre, New Housing and waterfront regeneration (300 new homes and 200,000 sq ft of mixed use) & Consolidation strategy for High Street
Outputs: Strategic masterplan, architecture and new marina curve. Support the delivery of adopted core strategy policy CP8 & supplementary planning guidance.
Design Team: WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff, BACA Architects and LDA Design, Bilfinger GVA and Currie & Brown.

World map with a red location marker on the southern coast of England.

Background

Dover District Council, in partnership with the Port of Dover and local landowners, has commissioned a specialist consultant team to create a planning and regeneration framework for the wider Dover Waterfront area.

This initiative aims to guide future development and revitalisation, integrating several key sites identified in the Council’s Adopted Core Strategy, including Waterloo Crescent, Wellington Dock, and the Marina Curve, part of the Port’s approved Dover Western Docks Revival.

3D model of a coastal master plan highlighting blue zones along the waterfront and marina area with sails and buildings.

3D architectural model showing a coastal development with buildings and docks highlighted in blue along a waterfront.

Process

The framework seeks to unify and enhance existing plans and initiatives such as the St James retail and leisure development, ensuring a coordinated approach to Dover’s urban regeneration.

BACA architects act as design lead for the overall masterplan, working alongside LDA Design, who are responsible for route corridor studies, and supported by WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff, Bilfinger GVA, and Currie & Brown.

To ensure that design, infrastructure, and community objectives are closely aligned, there has been extensive consultation both online and face-to-face with both public, multiple landowners and statutory partners.

The central focus of this scheme is improving connectivity, following issues of severance caused by the A20’s potential junction and underpass enhancements, between Dover Waterfront, Maison Dieu (Dover Town Hall), and Dover Priory railway station.

New opportunities presented themselves in exploring how to better connect Dover’s historic landmarks, including Dover Castle and the Western Heights, to strengthen cultural and spatial links across the town.

A group of people sitting around a conference table in a meeting room with documents, tablets, and water pitchers on the table.

Modern waterfront pool area with people swimming, sunbathing, and a person diving off a geometric concrete structure at sunset.

Architecture

Enhancing Dover’s identity whilst respecting its rich heritage is key to the masterplan, as it envisions a modern and welcoming waterfront environment.

Architectural interventions will focus on creating high-quality public spaces, improved pedestrian and cycle routes, and active frontages that encourage engagement with the waterfront.

BACA and LDA Design’s design approach seeks to balance contemporary character with Dover’s distinctive maritime and historical setting, framing the waterfront as both a local amenity and a destination.

The overarching goal is to foster a “Destination Dover”, as expressed by project leaders, a place where enhanced connectivity, urban design, and cohesive architectural language come together to support economic growth, tourism, and community wellbeing.

Tim Ingleton, Head of Inward Investment, Dover District Council, said:

“The vision for this key part of Dover is to create a more welcoming, contemporary image that better connects people and places whilst retaining the distinctiveness for which Dover is world-renowned.”

Barbara Buczek, Director of Corporate Development, Port of Dover, said:

“The Port is committed to delivering Dover Western Docks Revival, including an exciting waterfront transformation that will be a catalyst for creating Destination Dover. Ensuring that the local benefits of this major opportunity are maximised through additional masterplanning to improve connectivity is a further demonstration of our commitment to deliver for Dover.”