CTRL commuters 'want Dover homes'

Hourly high-speed journeys from Dover will take just over an hour

Demand for housing in Dover has risen by 30% in the wake of the news that it will be included in the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, an estate agent has claimed.

Paul Brown, who is based in the Kent town, has already set up another branch in south London to cope with demand.

But he said more quality housing was needed to prevent investors and commuters from looking elsewhere.

Council leader Paul Watkins said a variety of housing would be offered in order to benefit local people as well.

It was announced in July that Dover Priory Station would be included in the CTRL route running into London.

'Need for growth'

Hourly high-speed services are due to begin between Dover and St Pancras in December 2009, with journeys taking just over an hour.

Mr Brown said it was imperative the town had the right kind of accommodation to offer potential commuters.

People earning in excess of £30,000 a year expected "a high standard of living", he said.

"I think we've got to look at maybe relaxing certain restrictions that local councillors put on developers, certain sites that go above a number of units - developers are then requested to put affordable housing mixed in with those sites," he explained.

Mr Watkins, leader of Dover District Council, agreed there was "definitely a need for growth" in the town.