Thank goodness for that, well done Nick et al.
Thanet council has been given the go-ahead to purchase Margate's disused Dreamland theme park.
The authority wants to turn the site into a £10m heritage park with historical rides and sideshows.
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government gave approval for the compulsory purchase of Dreamland following a public inquiry.
The current owners DreamlandLive objected to the sale, saying the council's plan was not affordable.
Their plan involved building 400 homes, as well as restoring the Grade II* listed Scenic Railway around a fun park and a digital media studio.
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We've always been clear that doing nothing is simply not acceptable”
Councillor Clive Hart
The two competing visions of the site were aired during a public inquiry into the site in January.
Councillor Clive Hart, Labour leader of Thanet District Council, said: "I'm thrilled with today's announcement.
"This is a key step to unlocking the regeneration of the Dreamland site and means we can start to move in the right direction, in partnership with The Dreamland Trust, to progress the future of the site which has been vacant for a significant amount of time."
He added: "Dreamland is such an important asset for Thanet, and for thousands outside of the area, so we've always been clear that doing nothing is simply not acceptable.
"It's taken a lot of hard work and determination to get to this point, with the council spending more than £1m on carrying out urgent repairs to the neglected heritage assets.
"I'm thrilled that the Secretary of State is confident in our plans to help secure the regeneration of Dreamland, and today's announcement moves us closer to delivering this greatly anticipated amusement park."
'National significance'
The park will be run by the Dreamland Trust, which will be given the site by the council for a peppercorn rent once the title to the land has been secured.
Nick Laister, who chairs the Dreamland Trust, said: "The Dreamland Trust is delighted that the Secretary of State has backed our plans to reopen Dreamland as a major seaside visitor attraction of regional and national significance.
"The residents and businesses of Thanet, and its many existing and future visitors, have waited far too long for work on this project to start.
"With our funding in place and our plans drawn up, today's news is hopefully the final major hurdle that we will have to cross.
"The Dreamland Trust is ready to make a start on site and we hope to have Stage One of the project fully open by Easter 2014.