A MASSIVE multi-million pound investment at the Dover's White Cliffs Business Park, which is set to bring thousands of new jobs to the area, has been given the go-ahead by the Government.

Proposals for the £100 million investment in phase two of the business park in Whitfield, a 27-hectare site which could create 1,800 new jobs, were put forward by AMEC Developments and agreed by the district council’s planning committee last year, subject to a legal agreement.

MP Gwyn Prosser (pictured above) said it was great news for Dover. "I have been pleased to support the council in promoting this crucial development and I’ve been able to lobby the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office for approval of the plans."

Proposals are likely to include a mix of office, warehouse and industrial accommodation, and initial development of small start-up units.

A DIY retail store is also proposed and because this represents a change from the allocated uses in the Local Plan, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister considered the plans.

It was announced that the application would not be called in for John Prescott to make the decision.

Once negotiations have been completed on the legal agreement, final planning permission can be given.

This will enable future development of phase three of the business park, creating the potential for another 21 hectares of employment space and another 1,200 jobs.

"The importance of this decision cannot be overestimated," said district council leader Cllr Paul Watkins.

"For far too long Dover has been unable to provide suitably located modern business parks.

"This site has long been identified as being of strategic importance for the provision of jobs and the opportunity to diversify employment, complementing port-related activity.

"If Dover is to grow, the White Cliffs Business Park in all its three phases is the key to the future regeneration of the area."