CANDIDATES COME OUT AGAINST COMMUNITY CENTRE

Eight candidates for the council elections on May 5^th have now come out publicly against controversial plans to build a community centre in Broadstairs Pierremont Park.

Three candidates for the Liberal Democrats, three candidates for the Labour Party and two independents spoke against the centre. No Conservative candidates spoke at the meeting.

Meeting organiser Norman Thomas said: “There was a remarkable consensus among the candidates that while a new community centre might be a nice thing to have, the decision to build it in Broadstairs’ tiny Pierremont Park is a big mistake.”

“At least now people opposed to the new centre will have a chance to express their feelings about the new centre at the ballot box.”

Many people at the meeting expressed their anger at the Conservative-controlled Broadstairs’ Town Council’s determination to press ahead with the project despite widespread objection.

Mr Thomas said: “Many people were amazed that in the current financial climate Broadstairs town council has taken out a £500,000 loan towards the building of the new centre.

“With interest payments this mean the council will have to pay back a total of £895,598 by the time the loan comes to maturity. Many of the councillors who voted for this will be dead before the debt’s paid off.”

The new centre will be owned and run by a trust – but it will be funded to the tune of £1.4 million by Broadstairs Town Council, Thanet District Council and Kent County Council.

Concern was also expressed at the money Thanet District Council plans to contribute to the building of the new centre.  Mr Thomas said: “There is a belief that money is being diverted from spending on much more pressing needs in the deprived parts of Margate.”

Mr Thomas added: “It’s clear that Broadstairs town council sees this as a trophy project for their own self-glorification and are determined to try to carry it through regardless of people’s wishes.”

The candidates who have come out publicly against the centre are:

Viking Ward: Margaret Branscombe Kent, Lib Dem, James Langton-Way, Independent, Colin Kemp, Labour,

Bradstowe Ward: Clare Hunt, Louisa Latham, Robin Vaughan-Lyons,  

Beacon Rd Ward: Jenny Matterface, Labour

Kingsgate Ward: Nigel Utton

CANDIDATES ARE HANDED THE PARK CHALLENGE

CANDIDATES ARE HANDED THE PARK CHALLENGE

Candidates for the council elections are being challenged to give their view of controversial plans to build a new community centre in Broadstairs’ Pierremont Park at a meeting this Sunday.

The meeting has been called by people opposed to the new development, including local residents organisation, the Thanet Action Group.

Norman Thomas, a member of TAG, said: “Anger is increasing over this new development –

particularly the large debt which Broadstairs town council will incur if it goes through with the new centre.”

And it’s not just people who are standing for Broadstairs town council who protestors wants to come to the meeting – they want to hear from people standing for Thanet District Council, too.

“This isn’t just an issue for Broadstairs,” said Mr Thomas. “This is an issue for the whole of Thanet. Many people believe that the decision to build the new centre in our park is one with implications across the isle.”

Mr Thomas added: “Spending £1.4 million plus interest payments on this building represents a colossal commitment in local spending – and all for a project which most people utterly disagree with.”

As well as worries over the amount of money to be spent, many protestors are worried about the environmental damage the building of the new centre will cause.

“The council has admitted that 19 trees will be cut down and there is no landscaping plan to show how the park will look after the building has gone up,” Mr Thomas said. “The basic point is: we don’t want it here and we don’t need it here.

“It’s important that people hoping to become our elected representatives on May 5^th come to us and say how they feel about this issue, and defend their position. It’s a question of democracy. This is what elections are about.”

The meeting will be held at 12 noon on Sunday April 17^th in the Park Hut, Pierremont Park.

ELECTORS GET CHANCE TO VOTE AGAINST NEW CENTRE IN PARK

People opposed to the building of a new community centre in Broadstairs’ Pierremont Park will get a chance to vote against the development in the council elections on May 5^th.

Margaret Branscombe-Kent, who spoke against giving planning consent for the new centre, has announced she will be standing in the elections for the town council.

Margaret, who is standing for the Liberal Democrats, said she wants to give people in Broadstairs the chance to express their feelings about the centre.

She said: “Many people feel the £1.4 million centre is an unnecessary, expensive and unwanted development which will damage the park. But the council seem to be determined to go ahead with the new development whatever people say.

“Anyone who votes for me knows they will be voting against the development. And if I am elected I will do all in my power to stop it going ahead.”

The controversial new centre will be funded by Broadstairs Town Council, Thanet District and Kent County Councils and will mean the cutting down of 19 trees. 

£500,000 of the funding will come in the form of a loan to Broadstairs Town Council and the council will have to pay nearly £400,000 interest on the loan.

There will be another meeting to discuss the future of the park on Sunday April 17^th at 12 noon in the Park Hut, at which Margaret will be speaking.

PARK DECISION RAISES DOUBTS ABOUT BROADSTAIRS TOWN COUNCIL

The decision to build a £1.4 million community centre in Broadstairs Pierremont Park raises serious questions about the role of the town's council, according to a local resident.

At a packed public meeting held last Friday (March 18th) many voices were raised against the new development."Many residents were horrified to learn that the building of the new centre, will be funded largely by Broadstairs Town Council, and that the council has raised a loan of £500,000 to start the project. Including interest payments this means our tiny town council is going to be paying out over £800,000.

"What will happen if the town council is unable to meet the repayments on the loan? Why on earth is the council pushing ahead with a controversial project at a time of major cuts in public spending?"Mr Thomas added. "If we have a town council which is making such barmy decisions, the question has to be asked, do we need the town council?"Many residents are angry with the building of the new centre in the park which will mean the cutting down of 18-20 trees - but the soundness of the town council's spending decision was also questioned."Many people came to me after the meeting," said Mr Thomas, "and asked what we can do about the town council.

Local government is supposed to increase democracy, this council seems to be trying to subvert democracy, to build a trophy project for the benefit of the few at the expense of the many."One of the major original justifications for the building of the new decision was the housing of Broadstairs Age UK (formerly Age Concern) - but the council has revealed they will now NOT be a tenant of the building.

"This is an appalling situation," said Mr Thomas. "Ramsgate Age UK has already been wound up because Thanet Council has put their rent up, and Broadstairs Age UK now has nowhere go. It looks like elderly people in need of vital services will have to travel to Margate - which is totally unacceptable."

"These decisions call into question the whole motivation behind the building of the centre. It's not about serving the community. -- it's about self-glorification of the council," Mr Thomas said.Protestors against the park are now planning further moves, including legal action and a possible occupation of the park. Pics attached. For more info or pictures contact Norman Thomas, 01843 604253

MOTHER PLEADS: LEAVE MY DEAD DAUGHTER'S TREES IN PEACE

A woman who planted trees in loving memory of her daughter in Broadstairs’ Pierremont Park is begging the council to think again about plans to build in the park.

Mrs Kathy Carr’s daughter Ajanta died 30 years ago this month in a tragic drowning accident off Ramsgate seafront when she was ten years old. Her family planted trees in Pierremont Park in her memory.

Mrs Carr said: “I was saddened to hear there are plans to a build a large new community centre in Pierremont Park and that trees and parkland will be lost to make way for this development.”

Mrs Carr added: “My daughter would have been 40 this month and the park holds pleasant memories for me and the community at large.”

After the death of her daughter, Mrs Carr wrote a book of poetry “The Rich Pattern Of Mind” which, she said, brought comfort to many people grieving for the loss of loved ones.

Mrs Carr said: “It would be a comfort to know the park will always be there unspoilt and peaceful, so people can remember happier times and be at peace with nature.”

Mr Carr, who is known for her volunteering work locally, said: “Parks like Pierremont must be protected from development of any kind and preserved for everyone to enjoy.”

Opposition to the plans to erect the new building in the park is growing, according to local resident Norman Thomas.

Mr Thomas said: “Every day people ring me and express their anger over the plans. People are horrified at the prospect of the loss of trees.”

“They simply don’t believe council reassurances that there will be minimum damage. Many people want a new community centre – but a small, local, much-loved park is absolutely the wrong place to build it.”

“And Broadstairs Town council still have serious questions to answer about the funding of the project and also their plans to re-landscape the park by planting semi-mature trees. We have it on good authority that these plans are not feasible. “

A meeting to discuss what to do next about trying to save the park will be held on Friday March 18th in the Park Hut, in Pierremont Park at 7.30pm.

“This is a crisis situation,” said Mr Thomas, “Anyone who feels strongly about what’s happening to our park should come and discuss what can be done.”

For more info or pictures contact Norman Thomas, 01843 604253

PARK PROTESTORS PLAN EMERGENCY ACTION TO STOP DEVELOPMENT

People opposed to the building of a new community centre in Broadstairs'
> Pierremont Park are planning "emergency action" to stop the development
> going ahead. This may include occupying the site and people tying
> themselves to trees.
>
>
>
> A demonstration against the plan, on Sunday (March 6th) drew around 200
> people, far more than organisers expected.
>
>
>
> Norman Thomas of local residents organisation, the Thanet Action Group,
> said
> the meeting demonstrated the strength of feeling against plans to build in
> the centre.
>
>
>
> He said: "People don't want this new development. They believe it will
> damage a much-loved park. Thanet Council's planning officer has stated 20
> trees will be cut down, but the speakers at the demonstration felt that
> not
> one tree should go."
>
>
>
> The new centre will be owned and run by a trust - but it will be funded to
> the tune of £1.4 million by Broadstairs Town Council, Thanet District
> Council and Kent County Council.
>
>
>
> "People at the demonstration were especially angry that this controversial
> project is being paid for by public money at a time of unprecedented cuts
> in
> public services," Mr Thomas
>
> .
>
> "The demonstration showed that this isn't just an issue for Broadstairs,"
> Mr
> Thomas added. "Residents from Ramsgate and Margate came and spoke. It's
> clear that people across the isle feel their green spaces are under threat
> and that councillors are not representing their true interests."
>
>
>
> The action group has called a meeting for Friday March 18th in the Park
> Hut,
> in the Park at 7.30pm to discuss what to do next.
>
>
>
> "This is a crisis situation," said Mr Thomas, "Planning consent has been
> obtained to proceed with the building, so the builders could start work at
> any time. People who don't want this to happen may have no choice by to
> take
> emergency action."
>
>
>
> "People are already talking about occupying the site and tying themselves
> to
> trees. This is how strongly feel people about the threat to their park.
> Anyone who feels strongly about the future of the park should ring me on
> 01843 604 253, or email inmeds@yahoo.co.uk or come to the meeting on
> Friday
> March 18th" Mr Thomas said.

Pierremont Park, Thanet's Tahrir Square?

DEMO TO BE HELD AGAINST COUNCIL SPENDING IN A TIME OF CUTS

A demonstration against the proposed new community centre and the cutting down of trees in a Broadstairs park has been organised for Sunday 6th March.

Broadstairs Town Council, Thanet District Council and Kent County Council are all preparing to put their hands in their pockets to fund a controversial new £2 million community centre in Broadstair’s historic Pierremont Park.

Norman Thomas of pressure group, the Thanet Action Group, said that local people are furious at the proposal.

He said: “We’re hearing about massive cuts in services from the council, we may lose our libraries, people are losing their jobs at TDC, Thanet College is planning redundancies - and then they give the go-ahead to £2million expenditure. It doesn’t make sense.”

“This is a Thanet wide issue not just an issue for Broadstairs,” Mr Thomas added. “We’re all being asked to tighten our belts so how can we justify spending so much on just one project - that has been opposed for five years?”

“But it’s not just the waste of public money. We’re losing precious parkland. Twenty mature trees are to be felled in our tiny park.”

“This is being funded by our own councils – Broadstairs Town Council, Thanet District Council and Kent County Council – all putting our money into building what I can only see as a trophy project.

“Of course a new community centre in Broadstairs would be wonderful – who wouldn’t want that? But not in the park, and not at the expense of vital services all over Thanet.

“I wonder what people would rather see done with our money.”

Anger over the new proposal has led to the revival of the Thanet Action Group, first set up to oppose the Westwood Cross shopping centre, of which Mr Thomas was one of the founding members.

The demonstration will take place at 11am on Sunday 6th March, with people meeting in the wooden shelter in the park.

Mr Thomas said: “If possible, people should bring placards and ribbons to put round the trees, but above all anyone who wants to protest about Thanet Council decisions should just come to make their voices heard.”

DEMO TO BE HELD AGAINST TREE MASSACRE

A demonstration against the cutting down of trees in a Broadstairs park has been organised for Sunday 6th March.

Twenty trees in Broadstairs’ Pierremont Park are threatened with the axe in order to make way for a controversial new £2 million community centre in Broadstair’s historic Pierremont Park.

Norman Thomas of pressure group, the Thanet Action Group, said there is huge anger among local people at the proposal.

He said: “People are outraged by the whole idea. Pierremont is an incredibly small park – losing twenty trees will scalp the place.”

The Trust who recently won planning permission to build the new centre have stated that they will replace the trees by planting semi-mature ones – but Mr Thomas denied this will be any compensation for the destruction proposed.

“The only places the new plantings can take place will be in open ground used for games. They won’t last five minutes. The council has given the go-ahead to nothing less than a desecration of one of Broadstairs’ few remaining green public spaces.”

“This isn’t just an issue for Broadstairs,” Mr Thomas added. “Thanet as a whole has lost vast numbers of trees and green spaces in recent years, mostly to private development.

“But this is being funded by our own councils – Broadstairs Town Council, Thanet District Council and Kent County Council – all putting our money into the destruction of a piece of much loved public space.”

“This is environmental vandalism of the worse kind – committed by our elected representatives, with our money.”

Anger over the new proposal has led to the revival of the Thanet Action Group, first set up to oppose the Westwood Cross shopping centre, of which Mr Thomas was one of the founding members.

The demonstration will take place at 11am on Sunday 6th March, with people meeting in the wooden shelter in the park.

Mr Thomas said: “If possible, people should bring placards and ribbons to put round the trees, but above all anyone who wants to save our park should just come to make their voices heard.”

GO-AHEAD GIVEN FOR TREE MASSACRE

Thanet Council has given the go-ahead for a tree massacre in a Broadstairs park, objectors claim. Twenty mature trees are for the chop, it was revealed at a meeting of the council's planning committee on Wednesday evening, in order to make way for a controversial new £2 million community centre in Broadstair's historic Pierremont Park.

Norman Thomas, who spoke as a public objector against the new community centre, said he was amazed and horrified at the revelation. "We knew they were proposing to cut down some trees, but twenty mature ones - this is going to be a massive blot on the park. It's an incredibly small park anyway - to lose twenty trees will scalp the place."

The Trust who won permission to build the new centre have stated that they will replace the trees by planting semi-mature ones - but Mr Thomas denied this will be any compensation for the destruction proposed. "The only places the new plantings can take place will be in open ground used for games. They won't last five minutes.

The council has given the go-ahead to nothing less than a desecration of one of Broadstairs' few remaining green public spaces. "People in the community should get out and halt this mad proposal in its tracks. If the national government can change its mind about selling off forests surely TDC should change its mind about axing trees in one of our most treasured parks."

Objectors to the proposed new centre held a silent protest during the planning meeting on Wednesday, holding placards saying "Don't build in the Park" and "Vote NO! More protests are planned. Anger over the new proposal has led to the revival of the Thanet Action Group, first set up to oppose the Westwood Cross shopping centre, of which Mr Thomas was one of the founding members. Mr Thomas said: "Anyone interested in opposing the plan to chopping down of our trees should ring me on 01843 604 253 or email us on inmeds@yahoo.co.uk