Sea Change Dover

What is Sea Change

Sea change is a funding programme from CABE (the Commission for architecture and the Built Environment). CABE is a government-funded organisation whose aim through the Sea Change programme is to drive cultural and creative regeneration and economic growth in seaside towns by funding inspiring, creative and innovative projects.

Sea Change in Dover is about connecting cultures:

• connecting the Castle with the town and sea front
• connecting Dover with a wide range of opportunities through the High speed rail link and port facilities
• connecting existing cultural activities and businesses together to create stronger clusters of key importance to the community and visitors;
  

Why Sea Change?

The vision for Dover Pride as part of its wider regeneration plan is to combine the potential of one of the country's most successful ports with the Town's historical, archaeological and cultural legacy to produce a compelling regeneration programme, using of course the world famous brand name "Dover".

The coastal regeneration team at KCC in partnership with Dover District Council, English Heritage, and Dover Harbour Board successfully submitted a funding application to CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) in June 2008, which was subsequently approved in August 2008. The application awarded over £3.8m of grant funding towards the Sea Change programme in Dover. The application was supported by Dover Pride as a major step towards long term regeneration plans for the town.

The overall value of the funding programme will total some £8 million. KCC will remain as the accountable body for delivery of the funding programme until its completion in March 2011.

Why is culture important as part of regeneration?

Sea Change funding from CABE will ensure that culture plays a major part in change rather than remaining the preserve of enthusiasts. Sea Change for Dover means connecting the jewel in the crown, Dover Castle, to a regenerated and revived Esplanade so that visitors to the Castle can be immediately aware of the important attractions of the Town, users of the port can easily be transported to the Castle, and residents can take pride in a major amenity - their own town.

What do we mean by culture?

Culture in the context of the Sea Change project includes arts, heritage, tourism, libraries, museums and galleries, broadcasting, creative industries, and the historic environment.

The creative industries are those industries that are based on individual creativity, skill and talent. They are also those that have the potential to create wealth and jobs through developing intellectual property.

The creative and cultural industries include advertising, architecture, the art and antiques market, crafts, design, designer fashion, film, interactive leisure software, music, museums, the performing arts, publishing, software and computer services, television and radio and visitor attractions.

Find out more at the Sea Change Dover website.