Compulsary Purchase Order

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

Is it true that Thanet District Council could place a compulsary purchase order on Dreamland?


Vince, Charlie and Sam.

[Nick]

In theory, yes.

Nick

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

What would it take to turn theory into practice?

I blame you town planners for this. And Government. Mostly Government.


Brownfield site indeed!


Vince, Charlie and Sam.

[Nick]

If planning permission for retail had been refused and Dreamland's owner decided to leave it closed and derelict as an eyesore, then for the benefit of Margate the council could justifiably compulsory purchase the site. Especially if (as we know) operators are queuing up to buy the park.

This would, however, be an absolute last resort.

Remember this: were it not for planners Dreamland would now be a supermarket and there would be no Scenic Railway. It is only the fact that Thanet Council has so far said "no" to retail that Dreamland has any hope of survival. Planning is the key to saving Dreamland! What a great British planning system we have

Nick

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

Didn`t mean you personally of course Nick, but we`ve had some dreadful town planners over the years in Thanet. Whoon Earth allowed Arlington House to be built?

To me, it seems that Dreamland`s problems are caused largely by Government policy to make it harder to use greenfield sites for new building. While this seemed admirable at the time, it has potentially increased the value of the Dreamland site enormously as this is an easy-to-clear brownfield site.

It is to be hoped that Thanet District Council will continue to refuse planning permission for a change of use, and will step in if the site is allowed to become another Pleasurama.


Vince