Friday 19 March 2010

VIEWS NEEDED ON CONSERVATION AREA PLANS

Residents of one part of Cliftonville are being asked for their views on the idea of declaring it as a Conservation Area.

Thanet District Council’s conservation team is looking at designating a Dalby Square Conservation Area. This would cover Dalby Square, part of Arthur Road and Dalby Road. Letters are being sent out by the council to residents in these areas, ward councillors and local community groups to ask them what they think.

The Dalby Square area was first developed for visitors heading to the seaside in the late part of the 19th century. The area included the Cliftonville Hotel, which was the largest in the area, with 300 bedrooms, a ballroom, palm court and facilities for croquet, tennis and archery. During its early years, it was housing more than half the visitors to the area. The hotel eventually closed in 1939 and was demolished in the 1960s and replaced by a bowling alley, pub and flats.

Luckily most of the other fine 19th century buildings in the area still survive and are seen by the council and other national bodies such as English Heritage as being a very good example of historic seaside architecture.

Initial discussions have already taken place with local community groups. There has been significant support for Dalby Square and the surrounding area to be designated as a Conservation Area.

Two informal drop-in sessions will be held at St. Paul’s Community Trust, St. Paul’s Road for people to come and see the proposals and speak to council officers about them. It will also give them a chance to find out more about what living in a Conservation Area would mean to them.

The first will be on Tuesday 30 March between 11am and 2pm, with the second taking place on Thursday 1 April between 5.30pm and 8.00pm and people are welcome to call in at any time.

Cllr. John Kirby, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services and Ramsgate Marina, said: “Thanet already benefits from a number of Conservation Areas that help to protect the heritage and history of our beautiful district. There’s been a lot of interest in recent years in Cliftonville, as it is home to some beautiful architecture, dating back to the days when it was a magnet for holidaymakers in the Victorian era. We’ve responded to that interest and that’s why we’re looking at the idea of creating a Conservation Area around Dalby Square. Now we’re keen to hear what local residents and community groups feel about the idea.”

People can comment in writing to Louise Dandy, Thanet District Council, PO Box 9, Margate, CT9 1XZ or by e-mailing louise.dandy@thanet.gov.uk by Monday 5 April.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Please note comments that may be libellous, comments that may be construed as offensive and anonymous derogatory comments about real people will be deleted. Also note the facility to leave anonymous comment will be turned of during periods when I am unable to monitor comment, this will not affect people commenting who are signed on to their blogger accounts.

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.