by lightning » 30 Apr 2007, 19:43
I attended the exhibition yesterday and cant say I was particularly impressed. Both plans include elemants of a park, but the Duke of york is clearly the least worst.
Some of the ideas such as moving the scenic railway up to Hall by the sea road so it runs along the sea front seem massively expensive and unlikely to ever proove viable, but serve to make the King Cobb plan more attractive on initial inspection.
I will accept that houses MAY be needed to help pay the way of the project, but as others have said these will be subject to a lot of noise and problems. It is no secret that a lot of margate (though much less than a few years ago) is desperately in need of improvement. There are many old victorisn hotels that are currently run down flats. These would be much better served in restoration than taking away large areas of one of Margates greatest assets.
I do howver appreciate the inclusion of heritage names for the roads. Maybe I missed it, but where is the parking? Are they going to use the multi storey car park you are not allowed to park in?
One presumably rejected plan shows a new pier with the Scenic Railway along side! I know that this is about as likely as me going out with Kylie Minogue, but at least they are thinking. This would (cynic hat on) give more room for housing.
Of course the beach is wonderful, and we allegedly will one day see the Turner Centre open, but sadly these will not draw crowds. What we need is a decent amusement park. The heritage park idea (Duke of York) could have some merit if enough decent rides are found that mr godden has not yet destroyed.
I would rather see the Duke of york plan than nothing, but I still believe that with decent rides Dreamland would make money. The poor quality fairground rides of last year were a start but much more is needed. The park at Southend seems to do very well on a much smaller site. I was there on a dull November day and it was still busy.
It really saddens me to see the decline of Dreamland and I am sure that it could be reversed, but once houses are built, that is it. Finished.
I read in some of the material provided there "Jimmy Godden is a succesful theme and amusement park owner. Are any of his parks open and or succesful? He has been a dreadfully unlucky man with fires and I feel very sorry for him.
Finally, maybe I am being thick, I can see the King Cobb connction but what has the Duke of York got to do with it?