Problems with your TV - come along tomorrow Friday

Digital UK’s drop-in advice clinic: Friday 18^thNovember.  9.30am- 12.30pm in the Council Chambers at Pierremont Hall, Broadstairs. CT10 1JX.

 

Further to the campaign that I have been running to address the terrible problems local residents have been experiencing with their television reception, I thought that you might be interested to know that there will now be a drop-in advice clinic being held in Broadstairs on Friday 18^th November.

 

Experts from Digital UK and the Switchover Help Scheme will be on hand to offer practical advice and answer any questions you may have. They will also be able to provide support for anyone concerned about the switchover. I have been campaigning hard to get the best support that we can in Thanet to improve our TV reception and this opportunity for local residents plagued by TV reception problems is part of the support on offer.

 

Please feel free to drop by at any point during the three hour session. I very much hope to see you there

MANSTON BUSINESS PARK PLANS AGREED WITH CONDITIONS

Plans to build industrial and warehouse units on the Manston Business Park have been agreed by the council’s Planning Committee, subject to conditions.

The Committee decided last night (Wednesday 17 November) to defer the application to officers to approve, once the legal agreement is completed and signed. However, this will be subject to planning conditions on noise and light pollution, foul and surface water drainage, use of the buildings and landscaping on site, which means that the applicant has to submit more information on all these issues to the council.

This information will then be reported back to the Planning Committee, along with comments from statutory consultees, such as Southern Water, before the committee makes a final decision on whether to approve the conditions. No building work can take place on the site until these conditions have been agreed.

Chairman of Planning Committee, Cllr. Jack Cohen, said: “The committee had a very lengthy and detailed discussion about this application. After hearing from the public speakers, members were left in no doubt about the public feeling on this and residents’ concerns about the impact it could have on them. I think it’s clear that members listened carefully to those concerns and acted on them. That’s the reason why the Planning Committee will having the final say about a range of conditions imposed on the applicant, before any building work can start. Usually that’s something done by officers and I think that shows how serious we are about minimising the impact of this development on local people.”

The application is to build a total of 15 buildings, one of which would be a “Gateway building” in the southeast corner of the development, which would house an exhibition hall with offices and restaurant. The other buildings would all be for industrial or warehouse use. The development is only on the existing Manston Business Park, which has been designated for economic development in the Thanet Local Plan.

At last night’s Planning Committee, members heard from a representative of the applicant, who told them that, due to the economic position, their aspirations for any future expansion had been “scaled back” to only the land provided for economic development. He also made it clear that any further phases of development, which they had talked about previously, had now been dropped.

The applicants have agreed that they will enter into a section 106 Agreement with Thanet District and Kent County Council to provide the following things:

• Junction improvements to the Spitfire Junction and at the Mount Pleasant roundabout,
• The introduction of measures to keep lorries away from local roads, particularly Acol village,
• Upgrades to the local cycle network,
• Providing a free shuttle bus for workers and visitors to the site, and
• The introduction of a local employment scheme, with the aim of achieving 50% local recruitment.

GREAT NEIGHBOURHOOD AWARD FOR MARGATE

Margate’s Old Town and Harbour have been named as the country’s Great Neighbourhood in a national awards ceremony.

The accolade was handed out by the Academy of Urbanism at their 2012 Urbanism Awards in London on Friday 11 November. Margate beat Accordia in Cambridge and Borough and Bankside in London to win the prestigious award, which was voted for by members of the academy.

The awards aim to recognise the best or most improved urban environments, with the academy looking at a range of criteria, including local character and distinctiveness, commercial success and viability and user friendliness.

The original application was made by the Margate Renewal Partnership. When the town was shortlisted for the award, Thanet District Council organised the visit from the Academy of Urbanism to Margate.

The Academy described the regeneration of the Old Town and Harbour area as seeming “to be a rare example of different types of partners really committing themselves and competently pulling together to achieve a common vision. The partners involved – from national and local public agencies to local businesses and residents – seem actually to have achieved a shared vision for the physical, economic and cultural regeneration of the neighbourhood as a place which celebrates its history in creative and contemporary ways, fuelled by nurturing cultural enterprises, repairing property and improving the public realm. The District Council has shown great commitment and energy in leading the regeneration over the last 30 years, but does not seek to control everything that happens. Indeed, as time goes by, it is clear that the local authority is happy for partnership governance arrangements to be led or dominated by the local community, with the local authority providing vital support.”

It also goes on to say: “For someone who had never been to Margate before, an afternoon exploring the Old Town and Harbour and talking to locals from all walks of life gave an incredibly strong and distinctive sense of place. The Old Town offers something for a wide range of people, from young to old. It seems to be attracting people to live and work, as well as visit and enjoy.”

Cllr. Chris Wells, Cabinet Member for Community Services, accepted the award on the same day that The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh made their momentous visit to the Old Town. “It was a real honour to accept this award on behalf of the Old Town and the Harbour. It’s yet another measure of just how far the regeneration of this part of Margate has come over the last few years. Everyone involved in this area should feel exceptionally proud of the role that they have played in helping to put the Old Town and Harbour firmly back on the map.

“The description of our efforts from the Academy, and their acknowledgement of the power released when partners truly strive together is both gratifying and humbling. To hear Margate's name called, above that of Cambridge and Borough, will remain a very special moment.  To put Margate alongside other winners such as Leeds, Londonderry, Lisbon and Lincoln shows how much we have achieved already. Yes, there is more to do, but to quote Ian McMillan’s poem, we are seeing “a town reinvent itself”. I urge all to walk that road with us to further award and greater success. Margate is truly on an upward trajectory.”

TOURISM TEAM’S SUCCESS HIGHLIGHTED

2011 has been one of the most successful years for promoting tourism in Thanet – and there’s still plenty more to come in 2012.

That was the message at a meeting organised by the council’s tourism team to update the industry on their marketing activities and achievements over the past few months and to outline plans for the forthcoming year.

Amongst the speakers were the council’s Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr. Alasdair Bruce, officers from the council’s tourism and Visitor Information Centre team, Visit Kent and Turner Contemporary.

Highlights from 2011 included the opening of Turner Contemporary, which has given Margate a huge boost, the centenary celebrations at the Winter Gardens, the introduction of the new Broadstairs Information Kiosk and the successful bid for funding for plans for the tunnels in Ramsgate. The Open Golf in nearby Sandwich also saw massive publicity for the area, equivalent to approximately £1.5 million.

Press coverage included features in the Times, the Guardian and Coast and Heritage magazines, while the area welcomed a number of high profile companies to film in the area, including BP, Waitrose and McDonald’s. A stunning image of Botany Bay was displayed at London’s Waterloo station as part of the Kent Contemporary campaign, while tourism attractions took part in a successful two for one offer with Stagecoach, Arriva and South Eastern trains.

Looking ahead to 2012, the team explained about some of the projects they will be working on, including the bicentennial celebrations for both Pugin and Charles Dickens and work around the London 2012 Olympics. New campaigns will include one focusing on the area’s water sports offerings and the Viking Coastal Trail.

Cllr. Alasdair Bruce, Cabinet Member for Partnerships and Tourism, said: “It really has been a superb year for tourism in Thanet, thanks to some wonderful events, not least the opening of Turner Contemporary. However, we need to maximise the benefits that those things bring and that’s exactly what our tourism team has been doing throughout the year. They’ve achieved some wonderful results in terms of promoting the area to the wider world, helping to ensure that Thanet is at the forefront of visitors’ minds.”

Amanda Cotterell, Chairman of Visit Kent, told the meeting: “It is credit to Thanet District Council that they still recognise the importance of tourism and continue to invest looking at new ways to deliver. You are also lucky to have very professional, experienced and passionate tourism unit who are always looking for opportunities to develop and promote the area.”

Assistant Estates Manager at Quex Park, Angie Curwen, was one of those who attended the meeting. She said: “This was one of the most positive tourism industry meetings in Thanet I’ve ever been to.  I felt it was very significant how many people in their presentations highlighted how much is happening in East Kent. It just goes to show how well Visit Kent, the council and our tourism industry are working together and that’s having a really positive impact.”

Last weeks planning applications,

The TDC planning website is one of the most bizarre websites I have ever come across in as much as the web addresses of the pages on it change after a few hours so you can’t publish links to them. If you want to look at any of the applications you need to go to the site and enter the application reference in the search box, this link takes you to the site http://www.ukplanning.com/thanet

Date Published*	Application No.	Address	Status
10 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0919	THE QUEX PARK ESTATES CO LTD QUEX PARK BIRCHINGTON CT70BH	current
10 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0918	REAR OF 4 RAMS GATE ROAD AND 6 TO 8, VICARAGE CRESCENT, MARGATE	current
09 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0896	3 THE CRICKETERS BROADSTAIRS CT102XY	current
09 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0899	8 RYDAL AVENUE RAMSGATE CT110PT	current
09 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0906	8 AVENUE GARDENS MARGATE CT93BD	current
09 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0849	UPPER LODGE NETHERCOURT HILL RAMSGATE CT110RX	current
08 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0279	GORE STREET FARM HOUSE GORE STREET MONKTON RAMSGATE CT124LL	current
08 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0897	53 THE VALE, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 2DR	current
08 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0903	28 BRINDLE GROVE, RAMSGATE, CT11 8BN	current
08 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0913	27 TYSON AVENUE, MARGATE, CT9 5ER	current
08 Nov 2011	L/TH/11/0280	GORE STREET FARM, GORE STREET, MONKTON, RAMSGATE, CT124LL	current
04 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0898	38 WILFRED ROAD RAMSGATE CT117RB	current

New documents published by Thanet District Council,

09/11/2011 - Meeting held: Nov 9 2011 7:00PM, Standards Committee

The Queen's visit to Margate

The Royal couple came to the town, following an invite from Turner Contemporary, and started their visit in the Old Town to see the regeneration that has taken place there. They were greeted by civic leaders, including the Chairman of the Council, Cllr. Doug Clark, Chief Executive Sue McGonigal, and Community Services Manager, Madeline Homer, and then met local traders.

They were then taken on a short tour of the area. During it, The Queen visited the Cupcake Cafe and then met community representatives and veterans, who had just taken part in the Remembrance Day commemorations in Market Place.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh then met with some of the thousands of people who had come to see them to the sound of loud cheers.

Before they departed, heading for their next engagement at Turner Contemporary, they received a posy of flowers from Harrison Armer, who was celebrating his 11th birthday on the 11th day of the 11th month of the 11th year.

The Royal visit continued with a lunch at Turner Contemporary, where they also saw some of the gallery's highlights, met Margate born artist Tracey Emin and unveiled a plaque, commemorating their visit to the town.

Their final stop was to the RNLI Margate, where they met with staff and volunteers, before leaving the area.

Leader of the Council, Cllr. Bob Bayford, said: "It's been absolutely brilliant today and it's made me feel really proud to represent the town. I thought the Old Town looked at its best today and fully justified the faith we've had in it over the years. It's a positive demonstration of the regeneration effect of the Turner Contemporary.

"I think our staff have gone above and beyond, as we expected they would, because they always do. I'd like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all of them for all the hard work they've put into making this visit such a great success for the area."

You can view clips of the Queen in Margate on our Youtube channel

EVENTS ORGANISERS URGED TO THINK AHEAD TO 2012

Events organisers across Thanet are being urged to start thinking now about summer 2012 and any celebrations they may be planning for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics.

The council has written to parish and town councils, the Margate Town Partnership and Charter Trustees, community and voluntary organisations and clubs and sports associations across Thanet, asking them if they are planning any events as part of the celebrations.

Cllr. Chris Wells, who is in charge of Community Services at the council, said: “We’re already thinking ahead to next year, as it promises to be a year of huge celebrations. It may seem early to be looking that far ahead, but with both the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics, we’re sure that there will be lots of events being planned around both of these things. At this stage, we’re not asking for people to make a firm commitment to putting something on, but if you’re thinking about having an event, please let us know, as we can help.

“One way we can do that is by helping you to publicise events, as the council is often approached by different publications, who want to know what’s happening. We know that putting on an event may be a daunting prospect for some and again, that’s where our team of experts can help. We’re putting together training sessions in the new year to give you an idea of how to get started and what you need to do. We want everyone who is planning an event in 2012 to have a fun, safe and successful time.”

The council will be holding the training sessions in January and February and will also be publishing a new Events Management Toolkit that will take organisers through the steps of putting on an event. The council needs to be notified of any event that involves using public land or facilities, which includes street parties, beach parties or even a party in the park.

If you are planning an event, you can contact the council by calling 01843 577092 or by e-mailing events@thanet.gov.uk  

SUNDAY OPENING FOR VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE

Thanet’s Visitor Information Service is opening its centre at The Droit House in Margate on Sundays throughout the rest of November on a trial basis.

It comes after one of the most successful summers ever for the team, which saw increased visitor numbers throughout the season. In August, the centre welcomed 11,887 people, an increase of 93% on the same time a year earlier.

The Centre will be open every Sunday during November from 11:00am to 4:00pm, with plans to open on Sundays from the end of January, to coincide with Turner Contemporary's new blockbuster exhibition 'Turner and the Elements', starting on Saturday 28 January 2012. If successful, Sunday opening may also continue into early December. If this happens, the council will update people via the council website and anyone who phones or visits the centre will also be updated.

Cllr. Alasdair Bruce, Cabinet Member for Partnerships and Tourism, said: “We listen to feedback from our visitors and attraction providers and that’s why we’re trialing the Sunday openings on selected dates throughout the winter season. Already this year, we’ve had an amazing season, with visitor numbers vastly boosted by the opening of Turner Contemporary. The weather has been exceptionally kind to us as well, helping to extend the season well into October.”

What services does the Visitor Information Centre offer?

As well as offering visitor information, the team offers a range of services for local people as well. This includes booking quality accommodation around the UK, coach tickets and day trips, ferry crossings, and bookings for local theatres, including the Winter Gardens, Theatre Royal, the West Coast Bar and the Marlowe in Canterbury.

They also have a range of quality souvenirs unique to Thanet, including mugs, books, framed photos, calendars, magnets and keyrings, many by local producers.

Contacting the Visitor Information Centre

The Visitor Information Centre is located in Droit House, Margate, next to Turner Contemporary. They can be contacted on 01843 577577 or by e-mailing visitorinformation@thanet.gov.uk The team also has 26 Tourist Information Points around the Isle, with details about upcoming events and information about the area.

Additional Information Outlets

The Customs House Visitor Information Centre in Ramsgate, run by Ramsgate Town Council, is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10.00am to 2.00pm.

The seasonal Broadstairs Information Kiosk, run by volunteers and located on Victoria Parade, provides literature and a touch screen kiosk with information about the area.

Hartsdown Park Public Consultation Ends 14th November

As you are all very aware Margate Football Club are now in the final stages of being allowed to develop Hartsdown Park, this will inevitably see the loss of yet more land and public open space which is deemed to be for the use of the people of Margate.

As a consequence to their planning application, the council have quite rightly insisted on thios matter being put out to public consultation, the details of which have been published in the local papers and also on the council website, this process is due to finish on the 14^th November.

At this stage it is critically important that everyone in Margate has their voice heard on how they feel about this proposed development and the consequences of losing yet more open space to a development that will benefit only a very small handful of local people. The initial information shows that the 3g pitch would cost in the region of £140 per hour to hire, in this current climate and on the basis that open parkland is free to use, we do not seethat this development has any reasonable chance of success and is therefore unjustified.

We are now asking all of our members and any other interested parties, to register their opinions on this matter directly with the council consultation department. This can be done via email to the following address:  consultation@thanet.gov.uk

Or by letter to the following address:

Consultation,

Thanet District Council,

PO Box 9,

Margate

CT9 1XZ

For full details of the plans and the process lease follow this link:http://www.thanet.gov.uk/council__democracy/consultation/margate_fc_consultation/margate_fc_proposals.aspx

These are extensive and very far reaching plans that if allowed to go ahead will see our amazing parkland disappear forever, to be replaced with development and construction on a scale that was never intended to be allowed.

NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT, PLEASE LEND US YOUR SUPPORT.

PLANS FOR MANSTON BUSINESS PARK TO BE CONSIDERED

Plans to build industrial and warehouse units on the Manston Business Park, originally submitted in 2008, will go back to Thanet District Council’s Planning Committee later this month (November).

The scheme was originally agreed at a full meeting of Thanet District Council in October 2008, subject to a suitable legal agreement. Because of the length of time that has passed since that decision, the entire application is being brought back to the Planning Committee, rather than just the legal agreement.

The application is to build a total of 15 buildings, one of which would be a “Gateway building” in the southeast corner of the development, which would house an exhibition hall with offices and restaurant. The other buildings would all be for industrial or warehouse use. The development is only on the existing Manston Business Park, which has been designated for economic development in the Thanet Local Plan.

The applicants have agreed that they will enter into a section 106 Agreement with Thanet District and Kent County Council to provide the following things:

• Junction improvements to the Spitfire Junction and at the Mount Pleasant roundabout,
• The introduction of measures to keep lorries away from local roads, particularly Acol village,
• Upgrades to the local cycle network,
• Providing a free shuttle bus for workers and visitors to the site, and
• The introduction of a local employment scheme, with the aim of achieving 50% local recruitment.

The applicant has confirmed that the proposed development is not dependent on any further development.

The application will be discussed at the next meeting of the Planning Committee on Wednesday 16 November at 7.00pm at the council offices in Cecil Square, Margate. The meeting will be open to the public.

All the comments submitted when the application was first considered will be taken into account when the committee makes its decision.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL EVENT

Come and have tea and cakes in the Red Hall, this Saturday between 2pm and 5pm!

It’s the Amnesty Greeting Card campaign, held every year to send cards to people imprisoned for their beliefs. You choose the card and the person to receive it, give a donation towards sending it and Amnesty sends them.

The more cards the prisoners get the better – it shows them – and their governments – that they are not forgotten.

Just pop in or stay for lots of cake!

This is what the Amnesty website says about the campaign:

Sending a card with a simple, personal greeting is a powerful way to show support for someone facing human rights abuse.

Every card matters. For prisoners of conscience, for families whose relatives have disappeared, for people in danger for defending human rights, the cards bring comfort and hope; they offer encouragement and support, and raise spirits. Above
all they are a sign that people care.

The cards can also make an impression on police officers, prison staff and political authorities - and that can help to improve the way they treat individuals at risk.

It is simple to take part.  Just follow the advice given with each case and you can be sure that your message of warmth, care and support will make a real difference.

Use your freedom of expression to stand up for the freedom of others - and encourage friends and family to do the same.

For more information click on this link

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=10673

WALPOLE BAY WATER QUALITY

PICTURE AND COMMENT FROM Cllr CLIVE HART - CLIFTONVILLE WEST.

 

Following a morning ward walk in Cliftonville West on 19th July I contacted TDC with the following communication and attached photograph:

 

'CLIFTONVILLE WEST DUMPING GROUND!

 

Please see attached a picture  of a large pile of seaweed dumped on the slipway at Newgate Gap in Cliftonville (taken today Tuesday 19th July 2011).

 

This is just one very tiny part of a huge mass of seaweed that is being transported from Palm Bay and systematically dumped in the same location.

 

The fact is that this mass dumping of seaweed is simply taking seaweed from Cliftonville East and dumping it in Cliftonville West.

 

Worse still, it is now being placed on an exceptionally narrow beach, directly underneath 66 homes in the Queens Court block of social housing flats (predominantly occupied by elderly residents) that is located less than 10 meters from the cliff top'.

 

Basically, large amounts of seaweed were being moved by TDC from one side of Cliftonville to the other, effectively surrounding the beach and bathing pool at Walpole Bay.

 

Cllr Clive Hart

 

New planning applications,

The TDC planning website is one of the most bizarre websites I have ever come across in as much as the web addresses of the pages on it change after a few hours so you can’t publish links to them. If you want to look at any of the applications you need to go to the site and enter the application reference in the search box, this link takes you to the site http://www.ukplanning.com/thanet

Search Results

Your search returned the following results. Click on an Application No. to view its case file.

Date Published*	Application No.	Address	Status
04 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0898	38 WILFRED ROAD RAMSGATE CT117RB	current
03 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0775	K FLETCHER COUNTRY WINES 1 HIGH STREET MARGATE CT91DL	current
03 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0817	33 PARK LANE BIRCHINGTON CT70AN	current
03 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0855	WINCHESTER CLUB 7 TURNER STREET RAMSGATE CT118NG	current
03 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0856	CLIFF HOUSE THE PARADE BIRCHINGTON CT79LX	current
03 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0860	14 NASH LANE MARGATE CT94EX	current
03 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0881	EAST KENT ANIMAL CENTRE, QUEENSDOWN ROAD, BIRCHINGTON, CT7 OHG	current
03 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0883	WALNUT TREE COTTAGE THE STREET ACOL BIRCHINGTON CT70JA	current
03 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0886	17 ALMOND CLOSE BROADSTAIRS CT102NQ	current
03 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0887	NORTHDOWN SURGERY NORTHDOWN PARK ROAD MARGATE CT92TR	current
03 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0891	BARRETT GEORGE AND CO LTD, TIVOLl ROAD, MARGATE, CT9 5TA	current
03 Nov 2011	L/TH/11/0882	CLIFF HOUSE THE PARADE BIRCHINGTON CT79LX	current
03 Nov 2011	L/TH/11/0892	58 GROSVENOR PLACE MARGATE CT91UW	current
03 Nov 2011	NM/TH/11/0711	BLEAK HOUSE FORT ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT101EY	decided
03 Nov 2011	L/TH/11/0739	HARBOUR MASTERS OFFICE HARBOUR STREET BROADSTAIRS CT101EU	current
02 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0862	TESCO STORES LTD MANSTON ROAD RAMSGATE CT126NT	current
02 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0874	SLIPWAYS BUILDINGS EAST PIER THE ROYAL HARBOUR RAMSGATE CT11 8LS	current
02 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0877	UNIT 18, HEDGE END INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, SHUART LANE, ST NICHOLAS ATWADE, BIRCHINGTON, CT7 ONB	current
01 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0872	COURTLANDS BINGO 234-236 NORTHDOWN ROAD MARGATE CT92QD	current
01 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0755	LYNFORD SEACROFT ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT101TL	current
01 Nov 2011	F/TH/11/0876	KALEWA THANET PLACE GARDENS BROADSTAIRS CT101EE	current
31 Oct 2011	F/TH/11/0867	14 NORTHDOWN AVENUE MARGATE CT92NW	current

* This date is when Thanet District Council first published this case file.