Viking playground
Dalby Square playgroundI feel compelled to respond to the email below and set out the council's
position. It’s really frustrating that people are being misled in this
way over plans to ‘take away their community green’.
Not only has this land been clearly designated for housing in
Thanet’s current local plan since 2006, but the area is also
extremely well served by two play areas - one of which is in Dalby
Square itself (see photo attached).
The second is a state-of-the-art play area - the Viking playground -
funded by the council and central government. This is less than two
minutes walk away from Dalby Square (see photo attached).
Furthermore, to say that there has been a lack of consultation is
simply not true. The council has carried out a number of high-profile
consultations regarding the future of the site as part of its asset
management programme and the development of the Local Plan. In
addition, both the Viking play area and the one in Dalby Square itself
had a high degree of residents’ input.
The applicants are a housing association and the proposed scheme will
provide high quality social housing. It will provide 32 units of housing
and as we have c.4,000 people on the waiting list the need for this
scheme is unanswerable.
Yours sincerely
Cllr Robert Bayford
Leader of Thanet Council
position. It’s really frustrating that people are being misled in this
way over plans to ‘take away their community green’.
Not only has this land been clearly designated for housing in
Thanet’s current local plan since 2006, but the area is also
extremely well served by two play areas - one of which is in Dalby
Square itself (see photo attached).
The second is a state-of-the-art play area - the Viking playground -
funded by the council and central government. This is less than two
minutes walk away from Dalby Square (see photo attached).
Furthermore, to say that there has been a lack of consultation is
simply not true. The council has carried out a number of high-profile
consultations regarding the future of the site as part of its asset
management programme and the development of the Local Plan. In
addition, both the Viking play area and the one in Dalby Square itself
had a high degree of residents’ input.
The applicants are a housing association and the proposed scheme will
provide high quality social housing. It will provide 32 units of housing
and as we have c.4,000 people on the waiting list the need for this
scheme is unanswerable.
Yours sincerely
Cllr Robert Bayford
Leader of Thanet Council
CHILDREN PROTEST AGAINST DALBY SQUARE PLAN
TV Choice to Cllr Robert Bayford
TV Choice to Cllr Robert Bayford
DALBY SQUARE PROJECT GROUP
01843 228 414
PRESS RELEASE
AUGUST 2010
MULTICULTURAL MEETING PLACE UNDER THREAT
CHILDREN PROTEST AGAINST PLAN TO TAKE AWAY THEIR GREEN
This Saturday, 14th August, at 2pm angry residents of Dalby Square, Margate, are planning to protest against plans to take away their community green.
There will be a children’s fun day with children signing a giant hoarding protesting against the plans.
The protest has been sparked by Thanet Council’s decision to recommend the green for sale to make way for a new housing project.
Residents complain of a lack of consultation over the decision which will mean, they claim, the loss of the one and only play space for children in the square.
Jenny Cranstone of the Dalby Square Project group, which has been widely praised for its work in improving the square, said: “If this land is lost, where else can our young people safely play?”
The green has been praised as a valuable meeting place and recreational area – in particular helping bridge gaps between local people and multicultural newcomers to the square. All this, residents fear, is now at risk.
She said: “All ages, but particularly the young people see this land as their own area. When they heard of plans to build, they were not just dismayed at another council plan to put money over welfare, they were angry and determined to campaign to stop it.”
The children of the square have produced a hoarding featuring images of stars like Michael Jackson and will be signing the hoarding in protest against the council’s decision. The protest will take the shape of a “fun-day” with obstacles races, nail painting and other events.
The official consultation period over the plans for the square is due to end on Friday August 27th. This means Thanet Council’s cabinet chose to recommend the plans before the residents group had their chance to make their opinions known – which has sparked great anger among local people.
The fun day will take place between 2pm-4pm on Saturday 14th August. For more details ring Jenny Cranstone 01843 228 414.
Housing without nearby space for physical activity does go against all public health plans I have heard. The gardens were designed with health and safety in mind. Children and adults can play active games whilst being watched over by the many flats surrounding the green. To access the Viking area children must cross a road and be out of site.
ReplyDeleteThe council approved the gardens incorporating this area by granting planning permission. TDC also gave money to plant trees on the green, with time capsules buried under them. It may be true that for several years there has been lies, rumour and talk of selling the land, using a bit of the land, or removing the link road to add grass to the green area. Highly dissapointing that the council slip in, gifting the land and not leaving a blade of grass, after all the hard work of the community to improve and maintain the area.