Sandy Beach says 'forget Dreamland and don't live in past'

[blue]

Given that Dreamland closed in 2003 the rate of progress is slightly disappointing.

The rate of progress was painfully slow for what felt like donkey's years. It often felt like we were going backwards, but things are moving at the moment, actually really quickly. That seems quite a departure from TDC recent stance.


Sarah

Could the reason for the slow progress be partly because of people with such "power" and ideas be slowing it down?

Kev

[Nick]

If you visit the News page there is an update on progress. As you can see, things are now moving at lightning speed, as we prepare for grant funding applications in April. To make these applications we have to have completed the business plan and the detailed architectural drawings of the heritage amusement park. So we all have our work cut out!

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

If we are successful in securing grant funding, work on building the park would start in 2010, for completion in 2011. A 2012 opening would therefore be a strong likelihood.

[Neil]

Thanks for keeping the news up todate so we know what's going on. My comments on progress weren't a critism of individuals. It's such an import decission no one wants a rushed job. Nonetheless, for those unemployed, or people like myself who are passionate about the place, it does seem like a long time. I was in year 9 when all this started, now I'm through school, sixth form and a lot of uni and looking for jobs. It does seem a while, but I know the campaigns worked very, very hard. I appreciate all the effort that's gone in. Thanks folks.

[porterm]

One thing I recall from the "crisis" Council meeting last April after the Scenic's fire was the way Cllr Ezekiel voted for the six month timeframe for remedial action to be taken on the Scenic Railway. One's body language can really be a real telltale sign; as he voted I distinctly remember him kicking his feet back and forth as he raised his arm.

Like many others may recall, I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to detect his true intentions at that time. I believe the recent comments were probably made to try to divert attention away from all the current positivity prevailing around this Campaign's sterling efforts.

People power has maybe not been taken too seriously by officials in the past, however, the tide is certainly turning these days I feel.

Martin

PS If Dreamland's relaunch does occur in 2012 it will certainly be a "double whammy" celebration in what will surely be a media-hyped Olympic year. (Margate should offer a welcome relief for the non-sports fan!)

[Lou]

Despite the ludicrious comments - we all know that Dreamland is viable and will return - this is what we have been fighting for all this time and although at times things have looked extremely bad for Dreamland - we have all known that we would not give up - just because things were against us.
I am very thankful for all the hard work people have put in - and this is a true statement that dispite the odds - Dreamland is still holding on.
Its because we all love it, and the memories that it holds - worth so much more than money (the God of so many).
Dreamland will be here long after any temporary councillor who obviously only has his own agenda.

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

You would think that someone from Thanet District Council would have read some economic news in the last year or two.

Pontins are currently investing £50 million and creating 2000 new jobs because UK based holidays are enjoying a boom due to the dire state of the £, an unwillingness to take holidays in euroland and the state of the UK economy in general, whereas new-build flats such as the type which were once- laughably- proposed for the Dreamland site, have fallen by around 50% in value over the last year and are predicted to fall far further.

Mr Godden and Co are sufficiently exposed to yesterday's boom that the economic depression will- with any luck- bankrupt them.

Whatever happens with the Scenic Railway, victim of an ill-timed arson attack, the Save Dreamland Campaign repeatedly stalled development of the site and this has ensured that Mr Godden will not see it developed during his lifetime, and that is enormously satisfying in itself.

[Bob]

You would think that someone from Thanet District Council would have read some economic news in the last year or two.

Pontins are currently investing £50 million and creating 2000 new jobs because UK based holidays are enjoying a boom due to the dire state of the £, an unwillingness to take holidays in euroland and the state of the UK economy in general, whereas new-build flats such as the type which were once- laughably- proposed for the Dreamland site, have fallen by around 50% in value over the last year and are predicted to fall far further.

Mr Godden and Co are sufficiently exposed to yesterday's boom that the economic depression will- with any luck- bankrupt them.

Whatever happens with the Scenic Railway, victim of an ill-timed arson attack, the Save Dreamland Campaign repeatedly stalled development of the site and this has ensured that Mr Godden will not see it developed during his lifetime, and that is enormously satisfying in itself.

I think he is being realistic rather than seeing the world through rose tinted glasses.

Pontins are indeed currently making some smal short term investments but the mid to long term future does not look good. They have recently closed therir Hemsby Resort and the Blackpool site is likely to go as well as at least two others.

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

I'm sure you would be the first to agree that development of the site is no longer economically viable, Bob. So it can either stand empty for years as the Pleasurama site has done since it too burnt down, or it can be put to profitable use.

[Nick]

They have recently closed therir Hemsby Resort and the Blackpool site is likely to go as well as at least two others.

The Blackpool site is only closing because they do not own the freehold. They are effectively being 'kicked off' by the landowner who wants to develop a housing estate on the site.

[porf]

Bit of an update on the plans here (I won't cut 'n' paste the lot as I'm sure it'll be on the news pages shortly) :

http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/news/Dream-Ticket-heritage-park-dream-come-true/article-703889-detail/article.html

[Nick]

The News page has been updated with all the latest news. Quite a lot has been happening over the past couple of days:

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

[EAS]

It's all sounding rather more positive!

Great news!

He added that he would be "more than happy" to add Dreamland to the council's vision document if that's what the public wants. A draft version goes out to public consultation on 28th February.

Er - why is it not there already?

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

This is all very exciting.
I have my bonus miles banked for my trip to Dreamland.

[Nick Evans]

Delighted to hear this latest news - I really hope things can move along now. Also glad to hear the calendars (see other posts) have sold well. Please let me know if you think I can help at all.

Am I right in thinking there are council elections in May? Will this mean Sandy Beach might be booted/voted off the council, I really hope so. This man has done as much to ruin parts of Thanet as Jim Godden. For a long time he has been wanting to leave some sort of legacy behind him - he'll be doing that all right. It won't be a positive one though! And we await the outcome of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill incident enquiry with interest as well.

[Cheryl]

Edinburgh Woollen Mill incident enquiry?

Spill! Spill! Spill!