Climate Emergency 2019, Carbon zero…to 2025/26
In 2019, Dover Town Council formally declared a Climate Emergency, recognising the urgent need for action to address climate change at a local level. This declaration marked the beginning of a long-term commitment to becoming a carbon zero council, reducing the Town Council’s environmental impact and leading by example.
Since then, the Council has taken decisive steps toward this goal:
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Carbon Auditing – Reviewing energy use, transport, and operations to identify where emissions can be reduced or eliminated.
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Green Energy & Infrastructure – Switching to renewable electricity, improving energy efficiency in council buildings, and investing in low-carbon technology.
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Sustainable Procurement – Prioritising eco-friendly suppliers and reducing the environmental footprint of goods and services.
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Biodiversity & Land Stewardship – Actively managing green spaces like High Meadow Nature Reserve and allotments with conservation and sustainability at the core.
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Community Climate Action – Supporting projects such as River Dour clean-ups, Maison Dieu Gardens regeneration, and public education on native planting and sustainable living.
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Sustainable Transport – Manual /Electric bikes – As part of its commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable travel, Dover Town Council, in partnership with Kent County Council, launched the Manual and electric bike rental scheme.
Sustainable Transport
This initiative is a key component of the Council’s climate strategy, making active, low-carbon transport more accessible and appealing to both residents and visitors. Key Features of the Scheme: electric bike access points strategically placed and docking stations make it easy to pick up and drop off e-bikes for both short and longer journeys. Currently, there are five hubs located at: Dover Train Station, Market Square, The Seafront, The White Cliffs, Dover Castle.
These hubs are positioned near key transport links and tourist attractions to maximise convenience and encourage eco-friendly exploration of the town. Affordable and Flexible Use Bikes can be rented easily via a user-friendly mobile app, with both pay-as-you-go and pass options available. The scheme is designed to be affordable and flexible, making it accessible for occasional users, commuters, and tourists alike.
Eco-Friendly Travel Option Electric bikes offer a zero-emission alternative to cars for short urban trips, helping reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and overall carbon emissions in Dover. They also support healthier lifestyles by encouraging more people to engage in active travel.
Looking Ahead: Phase 2 Expansion – Due to the success of the initial rollout, plans are underway to extend the scheme in a second phase, adding more hubs across the town and surrounding areas. This will expand access and further embed sustainable transport into everyday life in Dover. Through this cycle scheme, Dover Town Council is helping to shape a greener, healthier, and more connected future for the town.
https://dovertowncouncil.gov.uk/destination-dover-bicycle-hire-scheme-now-available/
Sustainable Grounds Maintenance
Dover Town Council is proud to champion sustainable grounds maintenance across the town, adopting eco-friendly practices that prioritise biodiversity and environmental responsibility:
Sustainable Planting & Landscaping
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The Council is responsible for the upkeep of public planters throughout Dover town centre, including Castle Street and Biggin Street. These planters are filled with sustainable, hardy plants, many of which are grown locally by the Council in our own Polycrub—a durable, energy-efficient greenhouse structure.
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In Athol Terrace, which overlooks the ferry port, we installed a laurel hedge to help reduce noise and fume pollution affecting nearby residents. This green buffer supports air quality and provides natural screening.
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Additional community-led greening has also been supported through funding to residents, who have successfully planted up previously unused flower beds in the Athol Terrace area, turning neglected patches into colourful and biodiverse microhabitats.
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The Council also maintains key historic green spaces, including the War Memorial Garden and St Edmund’s Chapel Garden, using organic gardening methods and chemical-free maintenance to preserve these spaces respectfully and sustainably.
Green Infrastructure & Volunteer Support – Two years ago, Dover Town Council purchased a previously contaminated piece of land. We transformed this site into a model of sustainable use by:
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Clearing and remediating the land
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Installing a wildflower meadow to support pollinators and native species
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Building an eco-friendly storage facility to house council vehicles
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Creating a volunteer hub, providing amenities and shelter for those who help maintain High Meadow Nature Reserve
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Installing an incinerator toilet, which produces waste ash that is returned safely to the soil—eliminating water waste and the need for a traditional sewage connection
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Constructing of the Polycrub on-site, where all of the town’s bedding plants are now grown sustainably. Volunteers are also welcome to use this space to cultivate native species specifically for replanting at High Meadow and other conservation areas.
https://dovertowncouncil.gov.uk/bringing-colour-to-dover-flowers-in-bloom/
High Meadow – Dover Town Council owns and manages High Meadow Nature Reserve, a valued green space offering panoramic views of Dover and a haven for wildlife.
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Conservation Grazing – Carefully managed grazing with livestock helps maintain the chalk grassland habitat, preventing scrub encroachment and supporting a rich diversity of native wildflowers, birds, and insects.
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Habitat Restoration & Protection – We plant native species, protect wildflower-rich meadows, and maintain paths to reduce erosion and encourage responsible access.
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Eco-Friendly Practices – We avoid pesticides, manage waste responsibly, and encourage community involvement in conservation projects.
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Sustainability Education – Through signage, events, and volunteer opportunities, we raise awareness about biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable land care.
We also gained funding and installed an accessible path for disabled users to take you up to the summit which has been widely used and appreciated by all users.
https://dovertowncouncil.gov.uk/project/high-meadows-nature-reserve/
EMERGING PROJECTS: Western Heights Sports Field – Future Wildflower Meadow Project – As part of its expanding environmental and biodiversity strategy, Dover Town Council is planning to transform the Western Heights Sports Field into a vibrant wildflower meadow. This project reflects the Council’s ongoing commitment to re-wilding urban green spaces, increasing pollinator habitats, and supporting nature recovery in the town.
The planned meadow will Enhance local biodiversity, providing vital food and shelter for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Create a low-maintenance, sustainable landscape that reduces the need for regular mowing and chemical inputs. Offer a beautiful, natural public space for residents to enjoy and connect with nature Serve as an educational site, helping the community learn about the importance of native plants and ecological stewardship.
EMERGING PROJECTS: Maison Dieu Gardens – This project brings Dover Town Council in line to be a strategic partner with the Maison Dieu Gardens inititive working collaboratively with local authorities and stakeholders. This initiative is being developed as a pilot scheme for the sustainable, inclusive maintenance of public green spaces, setting a benchmark for climate-resilient urban landscaping. More information to be developed over the near future. Dover Town Council is reimagining public space as climate-smart, community-focused, and culturally rich—a place where nature, education, and creativity thrive together.
River Dour – Dover Town Council proudly funds and supports clean-up efforts along the River Dour, one of the few remaining chalk streams in the world. Chalk rivers are globally rare—there are only around 200, and nearly all are found in England. The River Dour is a vital natural asset, running through the heart of Dover and supporting a unique ecosystem.
These clean-up projects are essential for:
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Protecting a Rare Habitat – The clear, mineral-rich waters of chalk rivers support rare plants, insects, and fish like brown trout and water voles.
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Preserving Biodiversity – Removing litter and pollutants helps restore and maintain healthy riverbanks, benefiting wildlife and water quality.
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Community Engagement – Council-supported clean-ups bring local volunteers together and connection to the environment.
https://dovertowncouncil.gov.uk/project/finest-dour-partnership-project/
Dover Town Council Allotments
Dover Town Council is leading the way in sustainable allotment management, implementing innovative and environmentally responsible practices across its sites to support both people and the planet.
Key initiatives include:
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Water Conservation – We’re trialling low-impact water management solutions, including boreholes and water meters, to reduce mains usage and encourage responsible irrigation.
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Organic & Low-Chemical Practices – Tenants are encouraged to avoid pesticides and herbicides, promoting healthier soil and biodiversity.
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Wildlife-Friendly Spaces – Many allotments include hedgerows, wildflower margins, and bug hotels, creating mini ecosystems within the town.
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Composting & Waste Reduction – Tenants are supported to compost green waste on-site, reducing the need for external disposal and improving soil health.
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Community Engagement & Education – We work with tenants to share knowledge on climate-friendly growing, no-dig methods, and seasonal planting.
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Fair & Transparent Management – Through tenant liaison and clear rules, we maintain plots in a way that is sustainable, inclusive, and community-focused.
Dover Town Council manages several allotment sites, offering residents the opportunity to cultivate their own plots. These sites include:
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Pretoria Allotment Site – Green Lane, Dover – 82 plots
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Pilots Meadow Allotment Site – Off Adrian Street, Dover – 21 plots
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Prospect Place Allotment Site – Off Edgar Road, Dover – 44 plots
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Maxton Allotment Site – On Folkestone Road – 77 plots
These allotments provide residents with space to grow their own food and contribute to the local green landscape.
Sustainable Water Management at Maxton Allotments – In August 2022, Dover Town Council installed a solar-powered borehole system at the Maxton Allotments, marking a significant step towards self-sufficiency and environmental responsibility. The system includes an underground borehole pump that feeds water into a 6,000-litre above-ground tank, which is then distributed to various taps across the site. This setup is entirely powered by solar panels, eliminating the need for mains electricity and reducing the carbon footprint of the allotment operations.
This initiative not only conserves treated water but also provides tenants with untreated, natural water, which is often considered more beneficial for plant growth. The council’s long-term goal is to replicate this system across its other allotment sites, enhancing sustainability and reducing utility costs.
Beyond the borehole project, Dover Town Council encourages sustainable practices among allotment tenants. Tenants are required to collect and maximize the use of rainwater on their plots, as stipulated in their annual allotment licenses. Additionally, the council promotes the use of mulch or ground cover to retain soil moisture and reduce water consumption.
As part of their tenancy agreement, allotment holders must abide by terms of their licence. Tenants MUST collect and use rainwater whether they have a structure in place, or not. Hoses must not be connected to the shared water taps on sites. Taps should only be used to fill containers of a maximum size of 10 Litres. Hoses may be used within tenants’ own plot from their own water butts and similar water collection receptacles.
The Council or Utilities Company may impose restrictions on the use of mains water as needed. All tenants must comply with these. Mains water supplies are turned off on sites from October to March each year. Borehole water at Maxton is available all year round.
Tenants must use environmentally sustainable cultivation methods such as suitable ground cover, drought resistant planting and mulching to reduce watering. Tenants must routinely minimise pests, diseases and infestation by organic and other humane methods. Pesticides and any other type of chemicals are not permitted on any allotment site.
Grant funding – as part of its ongoing Green Agenda, Dover Town Council has grant funded a local charity to support sustainable waste management and community-led environmental action. The funding enabled the purchase of a commercial hot composter and maturing bins, helping the charity significantly reduce its organic waste footprint.
The hot composter allows for the efficient breakdown of food and garden waste at higher temperatures, speeding up the composting process and making it suitable for year-round use. The maturing bins are used to complete the composting cycle, producing nutrient-rich soil that can be reused in local planting projects. Reducing landfill waste and associated carbon emissions, promoting circular economy practices by turning waste into a resource, encouraging local, sustainable growing through access to quality compost, empowering community organisations to take part in practical climate action.
Promoting Health, Wellbeing & Community Access
Free Outdoor Sand Arena & Gym – Dover Town Council has invested in the installation of a free outdoor sand arena and an outdoor gym—accessible to all and designed to support both physical health and community connection ready for a variety of recreational and fitness activities, such as beach volleyball, Group exercise classes and informal play and sport – The sand surface is low-impact and safe, making it ideal for all ages and abilities. Importantly, the arena is completely free to use, encouraging spontaneous, barrier-free participation in outdoor activity.
Outdoor Gym – Situated nearby, the outdoor gym includes a range of durable, weather-resistant fitness equipment that can be used year-round. Designed for users of all fitness levels, the gym promotes cardiovascular and strength training, mobility and flexibility, accessible exercise for those who may not attend indoor gyms.
https://dovertowncouncil.gov.uk/project/fun-fabulous-fit-new-outdoor-gym-on-dover-seafront/