The South East England Development Agency has submitted a planning application for the regeneration of the former Snowdown Colliery in East Kent.

SEEDA today announced the submission of the application for 250,000 sq ft (23,225 sq m) of business space and a 73.5-acre (30 ha) country park on the site between Aylesham and Nonington.

If the application is successful, SEEDA will start development with a speculative phase of 50,000 sq ft (4,645 sq m).

Mike Terry, senior project manager at SEEDA said: ‘The area is considered of high ecological value due to it history and setting, and has unique flora and fauna. As a result, we will be endeavouring to protect that ecology as we redevelop the site.’

Cllr Frederick Scales, a Cabinet Member for Economy at Dover District Council, said: ‘Whilst we must stress we cannot prejudge any planning decisions taken in due course, we certainly welcome the opportunity to create new jobs and recreational facilities.