Dreamland - Margate Options

[WillPS]

I love this park, and I admire your campaign - I just have a sneaking suspicion that you'll win, and completely outlaw Jimmy Godden from flatenning the park, but it will then mysteriously catch fire.

[Swampster]

pah I just went back and visited that debate, and just saw half my post is missing!

Still good to see the vote has taken a turn for the better!

[Neil.]

Well it's just a week left of the public consultation into Dreamland's future so here is a last reminder. If you've forgotten about it, or put it off then it is your last chance to have a say and make a difference. I don't think anyone has actually posted a copy of the original email sent out to campaign members, so here is a copy:

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT – PLEASE CAN ALL MEMBERS READ THIS MESSAGE AND THEN SUBMIT COMMENTS TO THE COUNCIL AS EXPLAINED BELOW.

DREAMLAND’S SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON US ALL ACTING NOW.

Thanet District Council has just published proposed modifications to its Local Plan that will allow the Dreamland site to be either partially or completely redeveloped. This is in direct conflict with the independent government inspector’s report of November last year that stated unequivocally that Dreamland must remain an amusement park. The Council is also going directly against the wishes of the people and businesses of Margate – we know that, because of the results of the Council’s last two public consultations.

(The Proposed Modifications can be viewed on a special page on the Thanet District Council website: http://www.thanet.gov.uk/cgi-bin/buildpage.pl?mysql=782 )

Any Local Plan policy that allows for redevelopment of the site – such as the one now proposed by Thanet District Council - effectively means the end for Dreamland. The Inspector said what we always knew was the case: that amusement park operators cannot compete with developers of retail, housing and commercial leisure. If this policy is adopted, there can be absolutely no prospect of a serious investment in the amusement park.

If you are as disappointed as we are that the Council has chosen to ignore the inspector’s recommendations, you MUST let the Council know. There is an easy way to do this online. Just click on the following link to take you to the online Comments Form: http://www.thanet.gov.uk/assets/surv...tions/lp11.htm

Then follow the easy online instructions.

The design of the form is not perfect, so please note the following:

Q2: You need to fill in every field in this question or you cannot go onto the next question. If you are not an organisation, just put ‘NA’ in the box.
Q4: Click the ‘Proposed Modification’ button.
Q5: The Modification Number is M8.6.
Q7: This is where you set out your reasons. At the very least, you need to ask them to fully accept the Inspector’s recommendations. You may also wish to say that the Policy as now proposed by the Council will allow for other uses on the site, which means it is unlikely that an amusement park will survive long-term. Having a clause in the policy that allows for Dreamland’s redevelopment if the amusement park is not viable means that there is no incentive for the owner to invest the very large sums of money required for a permanent amusement park. You can say as much or as little about this issue as you wish.
Q8: You need to ask the Council to reword Policy T11 as set out in the Inspector’s Report (Recommendation 107(iii), page 411)

Don’t forget to click the SUBMIT button when you have finished the online form. This is easily missed. This should take you to a page that says: “Thank you for taking the time to answer this questionnaire.”

Instead of filling out the online form, you can print a form and post it:

http://www.thanet.gov.uk/assets/pdfs...ectionform.pdf

If you need to remind yourself what the Inspector said in his report, you can view the report by clicking here:

http://www.thanet.gov.uk/assets/pdfs/Local...inalVersion.pdf

Scroll down to Page 403 for the section on Policy T11 – Dreamland.

Should you require any assistance with commenting on the Proposed Modifications, please email me: nick@joylandbooks.com.

Once again, can I ask that all members respond to this consultation as this might be our last formal chance to make a difference.

Let's tell them what we think of their decision!

Nick

Again it isn't all that easy, but if you need assistance you can either email me or the campaign leader (whichever takes your fancy). If you want to post you response this is fine, but you will need to do it in the next few days to make sure it will get there in time. As has been said before this consultation is crucial if the park is to be saved!!!!