“For Dover Beacon our focus is clear: - to deliver a legacy beyond the built form. A building that is for the people of Dover delivered by our local people, with the town’s DNA surging through its entirety, both in construction and occupation. We are incredibly proud to secure this project allowing us to continue our strong working relations with Dover District Council and to deliver a project that unequivocally puts the heart and soul back into the town, for many years to come.” Martin Sandall – Managing Director – Jenner Group

Dover Beacon on the horizon for Jenner!

Date: January 2024

Jenner are delighted to be commencing the year with the flagship Dover Beacon project secured as part of our exceptionally strong pipeline of future projects. Awarded in November following procurement via the National Framework Partnership (NFP) the state-of-the-art building will transform redundant brownfield land on Bench Street, regenerating it with modern fit-for-purpose educational, creative, and business facilities thanks to a multi-million-pound grant secured by Dover District Council following their successful bid to the Levelling Up Fund.

The redevelopment is set to deliver over £90 million of economic benefit to Dover, alongside which Jenner has promised a very high-level of local social interaction to ensure the build offers great opportunity for local people through many facets including community engagement, a firm focus on employability and skills and a high-level of charitable support.

Cllr Kevin Mills, Leader of Dover District Council said: "We are delighted to have appointed Jenner to help us deliver this landmark development for Dover. As a local contractor, we have worked with them on several of our affordable housing projects. The Dover Beacon promises to be our most inspiring building to date, bringing new opportunities for local people in education, business, and the arts."

Formerly conceived as three separate buildings the revised design by local Canterbury-based practice Lee Evans Partnership (LEP), cleverly merges the three facilities into one building for the collaborative stakeholder benefits this will bring as well as building efficiencies. With end-user tenants EKC Group and East Kent Spatial already lined-up to take occupation upon completion in 2026 the project will wholly align to Dover District Council’s firm vision to make the town a great place to live, work, visit, learn and invest.

The education campus will provide enhanced training opportunities in the fast-growing creative and digital industries, expanding access and the curriculum for local students whilst the business centre will offer flexible, affordable facilities for start-ups and small, and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to attract and retain skilled workers and provide new employment opportunities. Lastly a creative centre will inspire local talent, all complimented by accessible green space and an expansion of the new Dover Click2Cycle bike hire scheme for visitors and locals alike to enjoy.

With LEP, the project’s original concept Architect and Planning Consultant retained client-side, their technical team have been contracted by Jenner to progress the designs alongside Structural Engineers Fairhurst and Mechanical and Electrical Engineers ADR Consulting ready for construction. The project is currently undergoing public consultation in preparation to seek planning permission with anticipated start on site in the Summer next year, and project managed throughout by Atkins Realis.

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