Plans to transform a town square have been given a knockback by a grant rejection.

Dover Town Team lost its chance to gain £2.9 million from the Coastal Communities Fund to provide a new-look Market Square at Dover.

But the group says it will press on to find other grants.

A statement on its website said: “A bid by Dover Town Team to the Coastal Communities Fund has successfully negotiated the first round.

“However (we) were unsuccessful in the final round. Much of the work done will not be wasted as other sources of funds will be found.”

The group had hoped to change the square and its surrounding streets by as soon as December 2019 in a project totalling £3.1 million.

The scheme includes having a new fountain with water coming directly from the ground, like the one at Folkestone Harbour, and trees along King Street.

There are also plans to create an improved space for community activities and markets, and for limited de-pedestrianisation of Cannon Street and Biggin Street.

The square is seen as a natural connector between the St James' retail and leisure complex and other developments planned by the Port of Dover and Dover District Council.

The port authority is busy working on a massive redevelopment project, the Dover Western Docks Revival.
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