The long-awaited multistorey car park at Dover Priory could be one step closer as a planning application has now been submitted.

Dover District Council confirmed that a planning application had been submitted to the council and is undergoing a validation process.

Plans for a 500-space car park at the station were dropped by Network Rail in February last year as the rail company said planning and funding issues had made the idea “unfeasible”.

The plan was then handed over to the district council with a revised proposal for 230 spaces. It currently has 29 spaces.

After months of quiet, proposals have now been submitted and more information will be made available soon.

A spokesman for the council said: “We have received a planning application regarding the Dover Priory Car Park, which is currently being validated.

“Details of this will be available as soon as the validation process has been completed.”

This also comes after a new parking strategy has been released for Dover.

Mayor of Dover, Neil Rix said cheaper fares for residents or free parking could help reduce the number of cars clogging up the streets.

He hopes part of a new parking strategy can include free parking for at least an hour for residents in the town’s car parks.

Cllr Rix thinks this will encourage people coming to the town centre to stop parking in residential streets and taking up spaces.

He said: “Wherever there are free car parks, shops seem to be busier. It would make sense to make free parking, even residential parking if you are a resident, then have a couple of hours free.

“It would be easier for them to use the car parks that we have if they had an incentive to do that then they would use them, rather than clogging up the streets in the town.”

The new parking strategy for Dover put forward by Dover District Council has proposed reduced fares in the car parks for those who work in the town.

It claims the car parks are being under-utilised and this could encourage workers to park there.

Between 50% and 60% of parking spaces are used in the town centre.

This means there are sufficient spaces for existing demand but the report admits this demand is highest in Morrisons, Pencester Road and Dover Priory.

The document shows there are 2,046 car parking spaces across the town centre.

Despite the town’s regeneration with the Western Docks Development and St James, the parking ratio is still considered acceptable.

However, it says the hours of operation for parking tariffs could be amended to reflect these changes and permits for residents could be reviewed as the dynamics of the town centre also change.

It has also proposed overnight parking restrictions to manage on-street parking and better management of coaches and motorhomes, as well as ensuring there is greater disabled parking provision.

Cllr Nigel Collor, cabinet member for access and licensing, said: “We need to plan now for changes in future parking demand. We want to hear from as many people as possible to
build an accurate picture of the issues and opportunities for improving town centre parking, and we look forward to hearing everyone’s views.”

The consultation is running until July 8 and views should be sent to parking@dover.gov.uk.