Businesses based at the site of a possible housing development say they are not worried as it could take five years to complete.

Simon Darton, owner of the Weights Room, at the Old Sorting Office in Charlton Green, said the plan for 65 homes is still in an early planning stage – and the land is yet to be sold for a proposed £1.8 million.

He said: “It’s not going to have an effect any time soon. Obviously, whatever happens, we will stay in Dover.

“We knew if we came here that at some point we would have to move on.

“We knew it would be redeveloped, but we have got the time to sort it.”

He said he was shown the plans a long time ago and developers have kept him in the loop.

The Weights Room has been at the site for four years now and has a loyal set of customers and gym-goers, who Mr Darton wishes to reassure.

He said: “I don’t want people to think we’re closing, because we’re not.

“They did say we could still be part of it anyway, but it could take up to five years.”

The modern-style development would see 65 flats. These would include 20 one-bedroom flats, 32 with two bedrooms, 11 with three bedrooms, and two four-bedroom apartments.

It would also include a commercial centre, but architect Enrico Galliani, from Galata Studio Architects, said it is not yet known what this will be.

Lianne Poynter, from Dover Auction Rooms, which is also based at the site, said she knew her business would also probably have to move eventually.

She said: “Everyone knows its going to happen, but it’s not imminent. Planning permission isn’t exactly a quick process.

"Everyone knows its going to happen, but it’s not imminent. Planning permission isn’t exactly a quick process..." - Lianne Poynter, Dover Auction Rooms

"The landlord has been very honest about it.”

She said the Auction Rooms has been inundated with calls from concerned people in the past week, but she is not taking her business anywhere yet.

She said when the time comes that the business has to leave the site, she will be able to find another commercial unit as there are plenty available in Dover.

Ms Poynter said she understands why the development has been proposed.

She said: “Even if they would keep it and retain it as it is, it would need money spent on it to put it back to how it was.”