A second border facility has been announced for Whitfield securing hundreds more jobs.

The facility at Bastion Point within the White Cliffs Business Park will be used by Dover Port Health Authority (DPHA) for food, plant and animal goods inspections, ensuring items coming into the country meet stringent UK requirements.

It was initially thought these checks would be carried out at one large customs clearance park on land west on the Roman Road, behind B&Q in Whitfield.

But HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has scaled back the size of the facility from 1,200 lorry bays to 96.

Instead, a separate site at Bastion Point will be established and the two sites will work in conjunction with each other.

The DPHA, part of Dover District Council (DDC), will move into the site from spring 2022. This will happen ahead of the introduction of increased border checks from July 1.

DPHA will remodel the former warehouse with new inspection rooms, and chilled and frozen storage. The facility will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

It follows a consultation on the operational plans for the HMRC site at the White Cliffs Business Park.

Together, it brings the total investment by Government in Dover’s port facilities to over £100 million, and securing at least 650 jobs across both sites.

Around 250 of these roles will be at Bastion Point and will include port health officers, team leaders, technical officers and administrative support.

Lucy Manzano, head of the DPHA, said: “Bastion Point plays a key role in the increased inspection regime that ensures the smooth flow of safe food through Dover and onto the shelves of the country’s supermarkets.”

Cllr Trevor Bartlett, leader of DDC, said: “I welcome this new government investment which underlines the importance of Dover as the UK’s primary trading gateway with mainland Europe.”

MP for Deal and Dover, Natalie Elphicke, said: “The jobs and money will be a real benefit. At least 650 jobs will be located at the two sites.

"As well as ensuring there are strong border controls on trade, taxes and food.”