Press release Letter on Manston from Bob Bayford

An Open Letter to Clive Hart

Dear Clive

The headline in today's Thanet Times, 'Labour's 'NO' to flights at night', lead many to believe the policy of Thanet Council's Labour Group is now one of total opposition to 'any' night-time flying activity at Manston airport.

If this is the case, I am disturbed and surprised. Most of your Group have previously accepted, and voted for, some night time activity. The fact that the current s.106 agreement, which was drafted and approved under the previous Labour administration, made specific provision for a future night-time flying policy, demonstrates Labour's consistency over the past decade. Indeed, the working party which oversaw the drafting of this agreement included some of your current and most senior councillors.

For the sake of clarity, I formally invite you to publicly declare your position. This needs to be a simple 'Yes' or 'No' to the question ' Does the Labour group on Thanet District Council completely rule out night-time flying activity at Manston Airport?'

At the moment, the 'No to Night Flights' lobby appear to believe you are solid supporters of their position. The remainder of the Island's population deserve to know whether this volte face is really true.

Kind Regards

Bob Bayford

DALBY SQUARE

Viking playground

Dalby Square playground

I 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

CHILDREN PROTEST AGAINST DALBY SQUARE PLAN

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.