This week's Isle Of Thanet Gazette has the frontpage question MARGATE - WHAT NEXT? The gazette addresses issues over the controversial plans for The Dreamland amusement site.
I must say for a variety of reasons, I'm more than confused, I shall elaborate. Over the last few years some things have never been explained adequately, the owners of the Dreamland amusement park have dismantled an established business with a worldwide reputation, surely not as some long cynical process, to turn the site into prime housing land.
The council have as I understand already changed the local plan once to accomodate Dreamlands owners and are in the process of doing so again, despite the advice of a government inspector that dreamland was an assest worth saveing. Till now the owners could only get a change of use for the land, if they were able to prove the site could not be made viable as a leisure facility, now it seems the council are ready to back down all the way and consider other developments such as housing.
In August this year the cabinet meeting of Thanet District Council considered a plan for Dreamland amusement park and Arlington Square, which I thought they would put out for proper local consultation, so far the consultations look as thought it has gone underground.
Then we come to this week, the council hold a consultation meeting, advertised with full page notices, and since the councils spent so much in promoting this event, I thought it would only be polite to go along.
This meeting was offered as a consultation about renewal, so naturally I thought someone would be on hand to hear comments about the renewal of the dreamland amusement park site, this being perhaps the biggest development likely to take place in Margate for some considerable time.
I doubt you'll be surprised to hear, that when I went there no one was available from the council familiar with this project, although I did speak with Derek Harding part of SEEDA Margate regeneration quango thingy.
Assuming by this point you haven't given up the will to live, I'm convinced that a public consultation on this plan to redevelop dreamland and also incidentally create traffic mayhem by restricting traffic along Marine Terrace is probably irrelevant as I believe minds have already been made up by the planning authorities.
THE RED LINE SHOWS PROPSED TRAFFIC DIVERSION INTO MARGATES BACK STREETSPart of the proposals by both the council and the landowners of Dreamland, are I understand for a new access road, which will come out into Eaton Road. Interestingly there seems to be a clump of properties currently being demolished to make way for new flats, which are at the planning stage I wonder whether they get built, since it would be the ideal place for the suggested new road.
Anyway what really worries me is what the local council are playing at, in August they produced a planning brief for the site, which to my mind seems a tad too proactive for a planning authority, whose principal role presumably is to regulate and interpret planning regulations for the benefit of local populace.
The bottom line is if the Thanet Council are under any obligation to consult with the local people then it should be done in a clear and well publicized way, yes there has been a drop session(whatever that might be) and a further one on 17 October 5.00pm - 7.00pm, if your passing the very accessable commitee rooms (I think somewhere up on the third floor of the council offices) and if you get lost who knows what you might find.
Just as a conclusion the Dreamland planning brief, finishes off with a list of those who will be consulted they are Natural England -English heritage - Kent Highway Services - Environment Agency - The Countryside Agency -CABE - The 20th Century Society - Statutory Undertakers - The Emergency Services -Network Rail - The Theatres Trust - Kent police "Secure By Design"
I'm sure the author of the brief intended to mention the public as a significant group to be consulted.
If you would like more information Thanet Council have produced a simplified planning brief (two pages) off if and consultation form on this page CLICK HERE
If you would like full the Dreamland brief (18 pages) including the nasty bits like maps showing areas of flood risk CLICK HERE
Also the notes from the Cabinet agenda CLICK HERE
Forget anything else the "DREAMLAND BRIEF" is likely to be the most significant issue to effect Margate for years to come (and that includes the Turner Gallery) surprising that Sandy Ezekiel and his deputy and Roger Latchford are keeping quiet on the matter, still given the latters expertise on Ramsgate Harbour beach maybe its a good thing.
As I have said in one of my own posts, Dreamland is the only thing Margate is really renowned for and any regeneration in which it is not included is a waste of time
ReplyDeleteWell done Tony for going to the trouble of putting in good links and highlighting this issue!
ReplyDeleteI have a sinking feeling almost as bad as the area under flood risk, that TDC are going to fudge this whole issue. waterbridge went out of its way last year to provide evidence that an amusement park was not viable (courtesy of a Mr Webb) and unless this site is devoted to serious all-weather leisure facilities then Margate is doomed. The scenic railway can be re-located to a suitable park and preserved in aspic if necessary, it does not need to be kept on site! The Save Dreamland guys have their own geeky agenda of playing with old rides from showgrounds as their hobby rather than their original campaign to have a thriving amusement Park; who wants to visit old rides? Enthusiasts and train-spotters? No, we are heading to a disater over Dreamland and TDC has the blame for ignoring the advice of the independent Planning Advisor and fudging the issue by allowing residential use in to the site. We would have been better with compulsory purchase and project out to tender for a redesign of the whole Dreamland/Arlington site!
I think TDC should have turned up at the recent kite flying at Palm Bay, the fair there was really busy. It proves that that is the sort of thing people will take the family too. We don't need to much of the cafe culture........ its no good for kids! Also what about this road round from All Saints? I can see 'rat run' in large letters. Surely with the report recently that we are already above quotas for building properties in this area why would we need residential use on this site?
ReplyDeleteI dont think the Webb theme park job can really count as a test of the viability of a theme park at Dreamland. As for the circus which stopped after a week or so, it was never going to last more than a couple of weeks. A month and a bit is cloud thinking...
ReplyDeleteI found it disappointing that the Council have accepted that practically half the site will become housing. I agree with Tony here about the Council plans and directing the developers to the preferred set up. The viability of the site as a theme park hasnt really been rejected. A half arsed attempt at a theme park shouldnt count.
Amazing! For once I agree with everyone here!
ReplyDeleteWhat none of you seem to grasp is that Residential development makes lots of money for everyone including the Council. Leisure and/or entertainment facilities don't. End of story.
ReplyDeleteThe new road will allow Marine Terrace to become partially (?) pedestrianised. This seems like a good idea to me. many of the other resorts in the South did this some years ago. If we do want a thriving beach culture in Margate(I do anyway)this has got to happen. The traffic along Marine Terrace is a pain in the take away.
ReplyDeleteBeach culture I just want to get home as fast a possible, at my convenience the beach is busy for a couple of months me a bit more often.
ReplyDeleteI spoke with someone from the council earlier today and am inform that they will probably be including some of the Dreamland plan at future gathering of which I think 2 remain.
Thanet District Council are so old in the tooth and do not have the basic business knowledge or any regeneration skills to transform Margate.
ReplyDeleteHousing on the Dreamland site will only benefit the council and the developer who will make a nice little profit.
However fundementally there is not enough facilities and amentities in the area to support more and more flats.
The flats will be expensive meaning locals won't buy them. Investors from out of town will buy them and rent them out. Its exactly whats happened at the Sea Bathing (at least half of the completed flats are still empty!).
How will flats encourage people to visit Margate?
Margate needs a tourist attraction it can be proud of that locals and visitors can enjoy.