In response to TDC press release today Friends of Ramsgate Seafront have responded

Following the release of the Cabinet papers today Friends of Ramsgate Seafront would like to make it clear that the proposed deal with the current builders Cardy allowing them to rewrite the Development Agreement with TDC is inappropriate and is the wrong use for the site.

Allowing for the caveat that Planning has been granted in 2004 and “work” had started it is unbelievable that TDC would still be considering allowing housing on this site despite their own call for leisure related activities in their own plan (Ramsgate Renaissance documents) in 1998.

Notwithstanding this we believe that 3 things are made clear in the new Development Agreement that will have to be signed by TDC and Cardy before building can start.

1. The Freehold of the site must remain with Thanet District Council and not be sold to Cardy or any other party
2. That the cliff face maintenance be part of the leaseholders responsibility as it used to be up until the current leases were assigned
3. That proper “due diligence” be done on the new developer to ensure that Shaun Patrick Keegan and his associates cannot benefit in any way from any profits ensuing when the development is sold

FORS want to make it clear that we in no way condone the Council’s actions however we understand the position past actions by previous administrations have placed the Council in a very difficult situation.

ROYAL VICTORIA PAVILION, RAMSGATE, GIVEN COMMUNITY CLEAN UP

A number of local volunteers including pupils from Clarendon and St. Georges turned up over the weekend of the 11/12^th January 2014 to help improve Ramsgate seafront this weekend. The community clean up was aimed at improving the seafront area at the back of the Royal Victoria Pavilion.

Will Scobie, prospective parliamentary canditate for South Thanet and Julie Marson, prospective MEP the South East were amongst a number of people who turned up to lend a hand. The group of volunteers removed all graffiti from the rear wall and removed all the sand caused by the tidal surge last month from the pathway so the public could easily access the promenade.

Julie Marson said “I congratulate the Friends of Ramsgate Seafront on their superb efforts to clear up and repaint the Pavilion over the weekend.  It demonstrates real community spirit and commitment to Ramsgate and it shows that we can all play a part in making our towns places to be proud of.  It was a pleasure to contribute in a small way and I look forward to more of the same.”

Barry James of FORS (Friends of Ramsgate Seafront) said, “It was a great weekend and amazing to see what we can do if we work together. We would like to thank everyone that helped or signed up to become members of FORS for their kind support and would like to say thanks to David Green of Ramsgate Town Council for their donation towards the paint”

Kandy Jones of FORS said, “The graffiti can easily be blamed on anyone that is under 25 that uses that area but the fact is its usually just one or two who are ‘having a laugh’. And if the council doesn’t care for the building, why should they.”

Duncan Smithson of FORS said, “Rather than talking about it, we spoke to Ramsgate Town Council and did it. We felt it was blight on the seafront so we tried to change it.”

Matt Watling of FORS said, “We think the seafront should be for everyone – tourists and locals alike. We need something for people to do. The skaters and dog walkers complain of glass in the sand and that should not be the case. We need to protect and care for our Seafront a lot more”


Friends of Ramsgate Seafront are currently petitioning the council over the lack of development of the former Pleasurama site and also will be applying to put on entertainment along Ramsgate Seafront at the end of May.