FINAL CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY

Local people only have a few days left to have their say on plans to sell 11 council owned sites across Thanet, with some of the proceeds re-invested into new facilities.

The proposals are part of the council's ongoing Asset Management Plan, in line with government policy, which aims to ensure that all land and property owned by the council is providing the best possible value for money, remains up to date, is modern for people to use and is effectively managed.

A total of 11 sites are on the list, located in Broadstairs, St. Peter's, Margate, Cliftonville, Westbrook, Ramsgate and Cliffsend, with the public consultation ending on Friday 4 December. The properties being considered in this round of consultation include the Staffordshire Street car park in Ramsgate, although public parking will be retained, and the former promenade toilets in Westbrook. Also on the list is land and buildings to the south of Hartsdown Sports Centre in Margate, although these plans exclude the leisure centre itself.

Residents can give their views on the possible sale of the sites and the possible uses being put forward for each site by writing to Communications, FREEPOST SEA8273, Thanet District Council, PO Box 9, Cecil Street, Margate, CT9 1XZ or by e-mailing hannah.thorpe@thanet.gov.uk by Friday 4 December at the latest. Please clearly state the name of the site you are commenting on, along with any further comments.

Leaflets have already been posted to neighbouring properties to encourage people to have their say and posters placed on each of the properties being proposed for disposal. Full information about the consultation is also available on the council's website at www.thanet.gov.uk

Asset Manager, Justin Thomson, said: "Now is the time to have your say on these proposals. The consultation only runs until Friday 4 December, so there's not much time left to make your voice heard. It's really important to take part in this consultation process, if you have a view, as that's how the final decisions about what happens to these properties will be made. Once those decisions are taken, it's too late to then voice your concerns."

The 11 sites are:

Site: Land adjacent to 39 Nelson Place, Broadstairs (Bradstowe)
Proposal: Possible development for a single house.

Site: Former lodge, St. John's Cemetery, Manston Road, Margate (Salmestone)
Proposal: Retain as a storage facility or dispose for residential refurbishment.

Site: Land and buildings to the south of Hartsdown Sports Centre, Hartsdown Park, Margate (excludes leisure centre) (Garlinge)
Proposal: One option is a comprehensive redevelopment of the site, with income funding local improvements. As part of any development, community groups would be helped to relocate. Other options are to partially redevelop the vacant parts of the site or do nothing.

Site: Front strip of land to Palm Bay recreation ground, Palm Bay Avenue, Cliftonville (Cliftonville East)
Proposal: Carry out a small residential development, which would provide money to improve the facilities at the recreation ground, including changing facilities and football pitches, or leave as it is.

Site: Former promenade toilets, adjacent to Seaview Terrace, Westbrook (Westbrook)
Proposal: Either redevelop for residential use or retain the building in its existing condition.

Site: Land opposite the Tudor House, King Street, Margate (Margate Central)
Proposal: Either sell for residential development or retain the site in its existing condition.

Site: Staffordshire Street car park (public parking retained), Ramsgate (Eastcliff)
Proposal: Either seek a full town centre commercial redevelopment of the site, retaining and incorporating public car parking or keep as a car park.

Site: Land on Western Undercliff, west of tunnel access, including Chine access from Royal Esplanade (Cliffsend and Pegwell)
Proposal: Either dispose of the site, with planning consent for either residential or leisure development or do nothing.

Site: Car park, site of the former swimming pool, Marina Esplanade, Ramsgate (Sir Moses Montefiore)
Proposal: Either a mixed residential/commercial scheme with on site parking or do nothing.

Site: Open space land adjoining 33 and 35 Beech Grove, Cliffsend (Cliffsend and Pegwell)
Proposal: Either retain or sell to adjoining owners for garden land.

Site: Former railway line behind numbers 2-48 Highfield Road, Ramsgate (Northwood)
Proposal: Either set out formal parking or dispose for residential development, with alternative parking provided and some of the money used to improve facilities on Jackey Bakers or leave as it is.