Margate Football Club public consultation

Thanet District Council is inviting public comment on proposals received
from Margate Football Club for land at Hartsdown Park and Tivoli Park in
Margate.

Thanet District Council owns both parks, parts of which have been
leased to Margate Football Club since 1958. 

Margate Football Club have submitted proposals relating to use and
occupation of the land.  They have requested to change the length of
their current leases and to lease two new areas of the park, which would
mean a change to a public open space.  The council now has a duty to
consult on these proposals as part of its Asset Management Strategy. 

A plan of the proposals is available to view online by visiting
www.thanet.gov.uk/margatefc or hard copies can be collected from any
Thanet library or council office.  The consultation has been promoted by
direct mail to the properties directly adjacent to Hartsdown Park and
also to local community and interest groups.

Comments on the proposals must be submitted in writing to Consultation,
Thanet District Council, PO Box 9, Margate CT9 1XZ or can be e-mailed to
consultation@thanet.gov.uk All comments must be submitted by no later
than Monday 14 November 2011.

Feedback from the consultation will be considered at a meeting of the
Cabinet in December where a decision will be made on the land management
proposals.

Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, Cllr Simon Moores, said:
“Although Margate Football Club have received planning permission
for a redevelopment on this site, the council as landowner now has to
consider public opinion before Cabinet makes a formal decision.  I’d
like to encourage anyone with a view on these proposals to have their
say before the consultation closes.” 

The proposals follow a successful planning application from Margate
Football Club for a major new redevelopment on the site which was
granted by the council’s planning department in 2005.  Although the
plans were granted planning permission, the council has a separate duty
as landowner of the site to seek public opinion on the land management
proposals before final consent can be granted.

Margate Football Club (MFC) Proposals:

● MFC are requesting to change the lease they have currently on the
football ground from 10 years to 24 years.
● MFC wish to lease a new area of Hartsdown Park to construct a new
football pitch.  MFC are requesting a lease of 24 years on the site of
the new pitch.
● MFC wish to lease a new area of Tivoli Park to extend current
parking provision.  They are requesting a lease of 24 years on this
site. (This additional parking provision would be for all users of the
redevelopment as detailed below*).
● MFC are requesting a new lease of 125 years on part of the football
ground site currently leased to them.  This is for the construction of
an 80 bedroom hotel*.
● MFC are requesting a change to the lease on the existing five a
side pitches and car park from 15 years to 24 years
*Redevelopment - In 2005 MFC were granted planning permission for the
erection of a mixed use development comprising a football stadium, 80
bed hotel, fitness club, children’s play area, theme bar, conference
and banqueting, hospitality boxes, admin offices, boardroom, one full
size synthetic pitch, 10 five a side pitches and associated parking and
landscaping. (Planning reference F/TH/04/1601).