Major fire on the Scenic Railway 7th Apr. Suspected arson.

[troy]

Thats pretty much as I thought smilerbaker. Nobody can force the owners to repair it. So all they do is make all the right noises in all the right places until the heat is off then commission a survey which convieniently points out that the rest of the structure is unsafe. Pretty much like the "Dreamland is not viable" nonsense.

[EAS]

In which case I have contacts in the historic buildings conservation world from whom we can commission a survey showing it is eminently repairable. Before any thoughts of demolition, there are many hoops and consultations which would have to be gone through and I can assure you it would be strongly resisted. It isn't unsafe, it can be shored up temporarily, it isn't about to collapse onto a public road.

No, we can't easily force the owners to repair and operate - but I think they are very keen to do so. Financially, they need to get plans in and work begun for the site. They won't want it standing empty for very long.

[EAS]

I've just heard Councillor Sandy Ezekiel on BBC Radio Kent stating that a Repair Order could be issued by middle of next week following his discussions with the current owners.

I'm not certain what this means, but 'repair' and 'order' in the same sentence from the Council Leader sounds positive.

Cheering news!

If they don't comply - then it's step one on the long road to a CPO...

[smilerbaker]

In which case I have contacts in the historic buildings conservation world from whom we can commission a survey showing it is eminently repairable. Before any thoughts of demolition, there are many hoops and consultations which would have to be gone through and I can assure you it would be strongly resisted. It isn't unsafe, it can be shored up temporarily, it isn't about to collapse onto a public road.

No, we can't easily force the owners to repair and operate - but I think they are very keen to do so. Financially, they need to get plans in and work begun for the site. They won't want it standing empty for very long.

hmmm I have to disagree there, the site has been empty for what? 5 years (ok rented out for a couple of seasons to a traveling fair).

The owners have zero interest in re-building, sure they are making the right nosies as are mp's and local councilers, but are they putting there money where there mouth is? no

If the site owner doesn't want indy surveyors on site then they wont get on site, they cant just walk in without permission.

Say the owners set up a fund to restore it, do you really think it would happen???

Sorry to be all negative but I have had dealings with listed buildings and dodgy owners before. If anyone knows lower stone st in maidstone, all those buildings on the right as you drive out of maidstone are listed, the owner got huge EH grants to restore them, yet the are mostly empty and falling down, he did little or no work to them, one fell down. Now he can't (or wont) sell them as EH would get involved and see no work was done, much like dreamland he wants them to fall down so he can build another office block.

[EAS]

Yes, I have had dealings with listed buildings and dodgy owners too. And friends in all the right places to bring pressure to bear and supply information. There is much that can be done officially, don't forget the campaign is not working alone but has Thanet conservation team behind it, and national conservation groups.

Thanet has powers which can be used. It's heartening to find it is threatening to use them.

The council is making noises about Repairs Order. I think it will carry that out. That's putting money where mouth is. Until now, the structure has not been really at risk, although a close eye has been kept on it. Plans were being formulated for the site, and a great deal goes on behind the scenes.

EH don't in the main get involved with buildings which are Grade II listed - although they can in certain circumstances - so if there are buildings at risk in a local authority which are Grade II then bring pressure to bear on the local authority, and call Catherine, the Buidings at Risk Officer at SAVE

www.savebritainsheritage.org

and have them added to the Buildings at Risk Register.

Jacobs is visiting next Monday, and assessing what needs to be done.

[cliffc]

Just been confimed on the radio it was arson.............

Hi

I dont think this was a big surprise it would have been a bigger shock if it been found not to be arson.

Cliff C

[cliffc]

still no sign of Bob.

Hi

I wonder why thay might be?

Cliff C

[cliffc]

Hi

Reading Nicks report that in its current conditon it can be rebuilt is good news.
However as nick said if another arson attack was to happen then this would not be possible, I agree that now is the time to beef up security for the site, to protect the reaming structure and lets not for get the other listed part of the site the Cinema.
However my concerin is this if (and please note all i am stressing IF) the arson attack was done at the behest of one of the current intrested parties then what good would the secuerity be if the security is being paid for by said intrested party surely the cameras would be mistriously not working any guards would have there backs turned (you get the picture), If security is to be provided then surely it must be Indpendant of all intreated parites, even if there is only a slight suspision that one of the afforementioned parites may have been involved in the last attack on the ride.

Cliff C

[EAS]

Lower Stone Street - is this part of the section of listed building considered at risk?


[Open Image] [Hosted by PhotoGalaxy.com]

A large number of buildings are listed there - mostly at II, but some at II*.

Not much to do with Dreamland really, but if any are considered at risk then the local authority and SAVE should be contacted.

[Geoffers]

Anyone seen this before.. it has got to be wooth ten mins of effort...

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/coastalresorts/

[smilerbaker]

Lower Stone Street - is this part of the section of listed building considered at risk?


[Open Image] [Hosted by PhotoGalaxy.com]

A large number of buildings are listed there - mostly at II, but some at II*.

Not much to do with Dreamland really, but if any are considered at risk then the local authority and SAVE should be contacted.

the ones a bit further up on the other side of the road, near the cross roads with the pub

[EAS]

Thanks - PM received!

[eddiegi686]

All this talk of security and the owners not responding to funds and work to restore the ride... The local police station lies only up the road, therefore is it not conceivable to have the police look out for trouble every now and then even if security at the site cannot be trusted (personally i wouldn't have thought any security organsiation would look good if their guards don't do their jobs, so just monitor them if you don't trust them).

Interestingly a lot of people have camera phones now and there are public cameras in the area too albeit not close to the town centre - more along the seafront and near the punch and judy. (That's one reason why i think something could have been seen this time.)

If there's a petition i will definately sign it if it helps the cause. Just keep thinking positively.

[Xtremecoasters]

Sorry, bit off topic here. Was looking through Youtube and found this (it will all make sense if you leave it playing). Man, did this put a smile on my face. Happy days

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwfW_dG3oIE

[Nick]

Forgot to post last night that I updated the News page:

http://www.joylandbooks.com/scenicrailway/news.htm

What a shocking photo - but it does show the damage is less than perhaps we all first thought.

Another news update coming later.

Nick