Planning consultation
About the charity
Kent Invicta Charity is a new charity, working alongside and joining up with individuals, communities and organisations in Kent, doing all that it can to relieve poverty, particularly among children and young people, and promoting and advancing education, culture, arts and history-learning in the county.
On-going funding and income for these charitable activities will come from fundraising.
The charity is working with stakeholders and local agencies to maximise the tourism and visitor potential in the Western Heights area as identified in Dover District Council’s Local Development Framework, with the view of improving visitor facilities locally.
About the Invicta statue
The Invicta statue is inspired by Canterbury-based sculptor and artist, Ian Morrison. His vision to represent the enduring and historic county symbol, the Invicta rearing stallion of legend, is seen by many as representing Kent’s history, sense of determination and status at the iconic gateway to the country – Dover’s white cliffs.
Other monuments of national importance, like the Angel of the North, have brought long-term and sustained growth and development to their communities. The Invicta statue will bring similar benefits in terms of growth and confidence, helping to ensure Dover and district’s “can do; will do” approach to development and resurgence is a reality.
Some basic facts about the Invicta statue:
- no public money or funding is involved
- Kent Invicta Charity (and the Invicta statue) is a stand-alone organisation, complying with all charity and company laws and regulations
- the site at Farthingloe is donated for the Invicta statue
- the money to build the Invicta statue will come from sponsorship and donations
- the design team has consulted and liaised with all organisations which have an interest in the site and its surroundings, responding to their observations, comments and concerns and incorporating suggestions for modifications and improvements
- the Invicta statue and the benefits it will bring to tourism and the economy are supported by Visit Kent and the Lord Lieutenant amongst others
The local tourism and visitor attraction context
Western Heights and Farthingloe (where the Kent Invicta statue is planned) is recognised in Dover District Council’s adopted core strategy as an area which is underused, with potential for tourism development.
According to a report about tourism in the area (source: The Economic Impact of Tourism in Dover 2009 by the Tourism South East Research Unit)
- the value to Dover’s economy from tourism and visitors is more than £210m,
- with 3.4m day visits and
- 444,000 overnight stays (including some 18,800 passengers on cruise ships who stayed overnight in port) involving
- 4,418 Dover jobs (some 8.9% of the workforce)
Kent Invicta Charity comment on tourism and visitor attraction
The high speed rail service from London in just over 60 minutes brings Dover and east Kent the potential and opportunity to attract London residents and tourists to the area’s visitor attractions.
There is an international dimension for attracting visitors too, with the ease of travel across the Channel and the development of cruise ship visits.
Not forgetting the potential to attract visitors from Kent and the rest of the country, Kent Invicta Charity believes the Invicta statue represents an opportunity to develop the Dover and district tourism and heritage offer, create jobs and boost the local economy.