Council Meeting (Wednesday 16th April)

[erclairedoc]

Maybe Hawley Square Rowbot which is opposite the library. I know there is a pay meter there but not sure if its free after 6.

I've managed to re-jigg my day and will make it Wed. Are we meeting outside? Not sure exactly where it is to be honest

[porterm]

In answer to RowBot's parking query, I believe it is free to park in Cecil Square (?) after 6pm - rear of the former Marks & Spencer store and near to the former Yates bar. (Opposite the library).

I'm sure there are other side roads where one can probably park on too, or possibly the (non-scenic) railway car park if you like a little walk.

Martin

PS I guess we can all arrange a pre-meeting meet-up point before tomorrow probably; maybe just in the car park opposite the library.

[erclairedoc]

Yes please to the pre-meeting meet up. Would be very useful!

[EAS]

Here's the legislation members are being asked to put into action:

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1990/Uk ... 00009_en_1

[EAS]

Thanet Press release:

Council considers planning options for Scenic Railway

Measures to ensure that Margate’s historic Scenic Railway is preserved and repaired will be considered by members of Thanet District Council’s Planning Committee on Wednesday (16 April).



A late report has been put on the agenda of the meeting, following the fire that broke out last week (Monday 7 April), asking members to authorise the serving of Statutory Notices to preserve and repair the structure if necessary.



The Scenic Railway, which first opened in 1920, became the first amusement park ride to be Grade II listed in 2002 and is the oldest rollercoaster in the country. The fire destroyed approximately 20% of the tracks, the workshop where the cars were housed and part of the ‘station’. The engine house, containing the electric motors and winding gear, survived.



It is hoped that the owners of the site, the Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company, who are responsible for the Scenic Railway, will undertake the necessary work and discussions between the council and the owners and their agents are continuing about this and, also, security on the site. Council officers state in the report that “it is considered reasonable to expect that the ride might be repaired and operational by Easter 2009”.



The report goes on to request that power is given to officers dealing with this to serve Statutory Notices under the Planning Act if needed. These notices would require the owners of the Scenic Railway to put the structure back to the condition it was in at the time it was listed. If the specified repairs are not carried out, then, depending on the type of notice issued, a compulsory purchase process would begin or the council could carry out the required work itself and claim the cost of this work back from the owners of the site. The report also suggests that members could, if they felt it appropriate, serve a similar notice on the Dreamland cinema building, which is also listed.



Leader of Thanet District Council, Cllr. Sandy Ezekiel, said: “Our first priority ever since the fire broke out has been to get the Scenic Railway repaired. It’s clear that, although the fire was exceptionally serious, it’s possible that it can be rebuilt and that’s exactly what we will be pushing for. Obviously it’s our hope that the owners of the site will carry out the work that is required without the need for any further action from the council, but we feel that this site is so important to Margate and the local community that we need to ensure that happens. That’s why Planning Committee are being asked to give officers these powers, so that if the repairs are not carried out by the owners, we can take legal action to ensure that the Scenic Railway is repaired and brought back into use. I’m sure that’s a move that local people will warmly welcome.”



ENDS

[dave771]

For those of you wanting to meet up prior to the meeting, Sarah and myself will be outside the council offices at 1845 for any of you that wanted to meet up beforehand. Then im sure a visit to the Northern Belle afterwards for a beverage or five !

[porterm]

I look forward to meeting everyone later tonight, and hopefully many new members will attend too.

The council news in the "latest news" section seems very promising too for the Scenic and the park's revival.

Martin

[Lou]

Sorry, i can't make it today as have to go to Norwich.
Wishing you all the best tonight and please can someone post how it went so i can read how it went, when i get in - (probably about 10pm)

[susiemags]

I'm just bumping this back up to remind you all that if you can - and I realise many of you can't - please come along.

I expect we'll adjourn to the Northern Belle after, so it won't all be official business!

Sarah

i wish you all well tonight, unfortunately i can not make it as i am at work till 10 pm .
but i will awaiting the out come ith baited breathe. bring Dreamland back .
lets wake up Margate again.

[sam]

hope tonight goes all right

[Sarah]

Hello

Just got back. The Planning Committee voted unanimously in favour of accepting the Officer's recommendation concerning serving a Repairs Notice. There was one amendment: that the curtilage of the Scenic Railway would be determined once counsel had seen sought.

Good news.

Sarah

[EAS]

Indeed - curtilage is a tricky issue and it needs careful thought.

Was the cinema included?

Good news though - so few councils are prepared to commit to this.

Well done Thanet.

[David Ellis]

Excellent news...thanks for the update Sarah.

David.

[porf]

And now reported on the BBC :

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/7351636.stm

A rollercoaster damaged in an arson attack looks set to be rebuilt after town planners decided its restoration should be made a legal requirement.

The Scenic Railway at Margate's former Dreamland amusement park in Kent was badly damaged in the fire last week.

Members of Thanet District Council's Planning Committee met on Wednesday evening to consider measures to ensure that it is preserved and repaired.

It is hoped the Grade II listed ride will be rebuilt by next Easter.

The wooden rollercoaster, believed to be one of the oldest of its kind left in the world, first opened in 1920 and was damaged in a previous major fire in the 1940s.

Last Monday's blaze destroyed about 20% of the tracks, the workshop where the cars were housed and part of the "station".

The engine house, containing the electric motors and winding gear, survived.

Thanet District Council said it hoped the owners of the site, the Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company, would undertake the necessary work.

[EAS]

What about the cinema??!!!