So the site has been sold?

[DN]

According to the Thanet Gazette and the BBC Local news, Godden has sold 60% of the site and has a 40% stake still in it..For the next 2 years the site will run as an amusement park run by independednt showmen while plans are made as to what to do the site...The Scenic Railway may be part of the site, which may include hotel and other leisure facilites and housing, with an access road from the burnt down conveniently, arcade. Apparently according to Godden Margate is moving on and the council understand this.

What a bloody disgrace. What do they want to do to our town? THere is NOTHING here, houses etc are going up everywhere....people want to come down to the seaside from the cities, they will have nothing to come here for...adn this town will just die.

I am appalled

[ex_margate]

Yes, I just saw the news on "South East Today", plus a brief interview with Jimmy Godden and another fella. Unfortunately it's all true, and it looks like they ultimately want to re-develope the site, IF they get planning permission.

The only hope now is if they carn't get planning permission to re-develope the site. A vocal public campaign to save the park "might" persuade Thanet Council not to grant permission.

It's also possible that if this Harry Ayres chap makes a success of re-invigorating Dreamland, Godden & Co might figure that they will make more money from a theme park rather than from re-developing the site, but somehow I doubt this will happen....

[porf]

The following links to coverage of the site sale on the BBC new site.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/4340993.stm

I don't feel a great deal has changed, it was always JG's intention to sell the site for development. The objections and obstacles to the sites redevelopment still remain.

[Nick]

It is unlikely that a developer will make more money out of an amusement park compared to houses and retail. But, they will need planning permission. The interview with the new owner on BBC News sounded like he had pretty much made his mind up regarding the Scenic Railway. But they will have a fight on their hands.

So what does this mean for the Save Dreamland Campaign? Considering that the previous owner was never likely to reopen Dreamland, I don't see that this sale makes much difference to us at the Campaign.

I have posted a message on the news page and given a few interviews stating that we will fight on. And when you consider that last year's council consultation on Dreamland showed that locals overwhelmingly want to keep Dreamland and the Scenic, I think the Council needs to provide some clear guidance to the new owners about what will and will not be acceptable on the site. If other councils can protect their main tourist attractions, why can't Thanet Council?

Nick

[Susan]

Can I support Nick in what he has said. Whilst this is a sad day it actually doesn't change very much for the Campaign and it is important that all of you who have supported continue to do so.

I cannot see how the proposed development actually does much for the regeneration of Margate into a thriving resort. Hotels are closing so the building of a new one will probably only result in another existing one closing; shops ... Margate already has these and many of them are struggling or closing, so more are not required and so it goes on.

I said this was a sad day and for me that has been caused by the final confirmation that Thanet Council do not understand the concept of regeneration, whereas other resorts do. They realise that a thriving well run Amusement Park can bring about financial wellbeing to the town. Visitors come and spend money in the town on many things.... those of you in the south will be familiar with Southend and in the north Southport, striking examples of what can be achieved.

The residential and business community of Margate have made clear to the Council their views, this campaign has continued to fight and will go on. Supporters come from all interest groups those with a particular interest in amusements parks and their rides, Dreamland/Scenic enthusiasts and those who care about Margate, some of us fall into at least two of these, we wont give up now.

Nick has made some very sensible comments, I know he will keep us up to date with things as they happen and we will do what is necessary .... WONT WE.

[porterm]

Yes, whilst today's news is not exactly welcome, I believe as Nick and Susan have previously stated, the fight is ongoing, indeed with even more vigour. I guess this so called "sale" is agreed only in principle, subject to the parties overcoming the many obstacles that will undoubtedly now confront them.

I believe the pressure is now rather solely on Thanet District Council to make the correct decisions on Margate's future tourism revival plans. As the late New York Campaigner, Jack Holmes, stated in his 2003 letter to the Thanet Gazette "as a survivor of New York's 9/11 it takes guts to rebuild a dream. The world is waiting to see if you have it". That is the stark challenge, which I am sure can be achieved if only a dedicated park operator is in position. I hope there will be a well informed Council decision on the Local Plan sooner rather than later to expediate Dreamland's real potential, and offset any further area decay.

Martin

PS I didn't see any late night local news stories regarding this sale on either the BBC or Meridian ITV local news bulletins. (I sadly missed the earlier bulletins).

[David Ellis]

I am saddened by the news. Of course the fight is not over, but we all know just how much notice Thanet Council have taken of local views so far...and I can't help but worry that they will keep ignoring public opinion until it's too late, and the planning permission has been granted.

David.

[Zoidstar]

Sad news, still the green light for building on the site is a long way off if ever, the new "owner" must prove the his proposal is in the best intrest of the town which could be a hard task.

So much for what I was told in the pub last night about a certain bussness man m=in Southend buying the site.