email from members of the council
I sent the following email to the members of the council who have email adresses listed on the Thanet council website.
Subj:
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(no subject)
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Date:
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14/02/2004 14:15:06 GMT Standard Time
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From:
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Michael Child
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Hello
I run the bookshop in Ramsgate and live over the top of it, I also write the thanetonline.com website during the last couple of weeks a large proportion of my customers have been talking about the plans for the redevelopment of the old Pleasureama site.
My family has lived in Thanet since 1966 and none of us can remember any local issue producing such strong feelings among local people.
The general feeling in the town seems to one of amazement. Mainly because of the height and the lack of public consultation in Ramsgate.
I wonder could you tell me your position on this issue, it is my intention to publicise this information.
Kind regards Michael Child.
Below are the replies
Subj:
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RE: (no subject)
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Date:
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16/02/2004 10:02:20 GMT Standard Time
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From:
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michellefenner@hotmail.com
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To:
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MichaelChild@aol.com
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Sent from the Internet (Details)
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I agree with you about the problem with the height of the development. I am also in agreement about the lack of consultation. Also the way the Conservative led Planning Committee dealt with the objections to the development causes many concerns: objectors refused pemission to speak, no report from conservation department, concerns from English Heritage were not reported.
I will send your message to Cllr. David Green who I think is your Ward Councillor, and Deputy Leader of the Labour Group. thank you for contacting me.
Cllr M. fenner
>From: MichaelChild@aol.com
>To: michellefenner@hotmail.com
>Subject: (no subject)
>Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2004 09:09:15 EST
Subj:
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Re: (no subject)
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Date:
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16/02/2004 07:33:43 GMT Standard Time
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From:
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jobooth@tinyworld.co.uk
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To:
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MichaelChild@aol.com
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Sent from the Internet (Details)
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Dear Mr Child,
Thank you for your email.
I have spoken to many people in Thanet about the development of the Pleasureama site, and in particular in Ramsgate, as Councillor for Cliffsend & Pegwell and a Charter Trustee. The vast majority have been positive about the plans to develop a site which has been an eyesore for some considerable time. Of course I am aware that there is a small, but highly vocal group which opposes the plans, and it is entitled to express its views. However, I have not found these views to be in any way representative.
Most people believe that the development will significantly improve the seafront at Ramsgate, providing much needed employment and creating a new and vibrant cafe culture. The new hotel and apartments will bring extra spending to Ramsgate, which will inevitably boost the local economy and in particular Ramsgate town centre - which is important as Westwood Cross changes local people's shopping patterns.
In general, I wholeheartedly support this major regeneration of Ramsgate, which will act as a catalyst to bring new developers to the area, and provide the economic development I am sure everyone in the area supports, as it provides future employment and a better quality of life for generations to come.
Cllr Jo Booth
Subj:
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FW: Pleasurama Site
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Date:
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14/02/2004 19:27:04 GMT Standard Time
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From:
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poole@btinternet.com
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To:
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MichaelChild@aol.com
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Sent from the Internet (Details)
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Hello Michael,
I have reservations regarding the height of the proposed structure. I believe that it should not project above the cliff top. This will certainly detract from the visual amenity of the area and Wellington Crescent in particular.
The original planning application (that I supported) would have stopped level with the cliff top and it was intended to be finished with a landscaped roof-top garden.
Unfortunately the developers who agreed to this could not complete the development (for financial reasons) and subsequently new developers came forward with a different application (which they were quite entitled to).
There is an overdue need for this site to be correctly developed and I was very disappointed that the previous (Labour) administration could not make it happen. We were let down on many occasions with the developers failing to deliver their promises.
I believe that the Thanet District Council Planning Committee recently approved the application; all the Labour Committee members (bar one) voted against it but the Conservative majority ensured its approval. There is no right of appeal against this decision. The correct consultation procedures would have been used.
I believe the landowner is still Thanet District Council so it is possible that changes could be negotiated.
I am the Kent County Councillor for Ramsgate North and as such have no say in this decision.
My wife, Cllr Elizabeth Poole is a Planning Committee member and voted against the application.
For further information you should contact Cllr David Green, who is one of the Eastcliff Ward Councillors.
I am happy for you to use the above - providing my views are not taken out of context.
Regards,
Alan Poole.
Subj:
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RE: (no subject)
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Date:
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16/02/2004 12:00:08 GMT Standard Time
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From:
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Ian.Gregory@carillionplc.com
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To:
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MichaelChild@aol.com
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Sent from the Internet (Details)
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Dear Mr Child,
The Leader of the Council , Sandy Ezekiel, has requested that I refer you to him for a response that is to be publicised.
kind regards
Cllr Ian Gregory
Subj:
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RE: (no subject)
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Date:
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17/02/2004 10:08:49 GMT Standard Time
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From:
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steve_ward@btinternet.com
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To:
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MichaelChild@aol.com
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Sent from the Internet (Details)
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Michael,
Thank you for your e-mail giving your perspective of the feelings of the local people.
I too have been in receipt of many letters of concern regarding the proposed development of the Pleasurama site.
As those members of the public, who were at the recent Planning meeting at which I spoke, will testify I am in favour of development of the site, but have concerns regarding the height of the proposed flats and hotel.
I hope to be able to attend the public meeting to be held this coming Friday, when I shall be happy to reiterate my position.
I hope this clarifies my position for you.
Cllr. Steve Ward
Subj:
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Re: (no subject)
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Date:
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17/02/2004 20:46:03 GMT Standard Time
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From:
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jeff.kirkpatrick@btinternet.com
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To:
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MichaelChild@aol.com
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Sent from the Internet (Details)
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Hi,
Thank you for the note. Perhaps the following will be helpful:-
The site has been extensively marketed but no investor has come forward with proposals for a Leisure development. I personally would have preferred a Leisure development of the kind being suggested but you cannot make people invest. The Council has finally concluded a mixed development of the kind now envisaged is the way forward or we continue to live with a derelict site for who knows how much longer.
The development is supported by both sides of the Chamber, i.e. Conservative and Labour.
I fail to understand the claim of "lack of consultation" as the development of this site has had extensive coverage in the local media, yet it is only in the last couple of weeks that there has been expression of discontent.
The flats are NOT higher than the cliff except for a small section near the lift where the cliff falls away. Please feel free to look at the plans at the Council offices to check for yourself, if not done so already.
The illustration on display in the Brewhouse on the seafront is a gross and disgraceful misrepresentation of the truth and is causing unnecessary worry to many people. Whoever did it is acting very irresponsibly - or mischievously.
Whether or not you like the design of the flats is for you to decide. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I can only say I feel it is sympathetic to the Boulevard Kiosk built within recent years on the new promenade, which with the promenade itself set the new style for the Boulevard, and which appears not to have been criticised. The Marine Art Decor style is also being used at the highly sensitive "Castle Keep" site at Kingsgate, watched over by English Heritage, et al.
There is no Party Whip on Planning decisions.
I have lived in Broadstairs and Ramsgate since 1965 and I can remember several local issues producing such strong, and stronger, feelings. Perhaps the misinformation currently being peddled around is partly responsible for the concern in this instance.
I have also been informed the Council is selling the site for £550,000 whereas its true value is probably in excess of £2m. Again this is totally untrue. Whilst I obviously cannot quote precise figures for fear of breaching commercial confidentialities, the package of an upfront payment plus further payments will produce a fair and proper receipt.
I applaud genuine concern for the environment, and Ramsgate is such a beautiful town with a wealth of wonderful architecture that is deserves to be look after with care, but I deplore campaigns of misinformation.
I would welcome your further comments,
Cllr Jeff Kirkpatrick
27 La Belle Alliance Square
Ramsgate
Kent
CT118HZ
01843591495
02004
Ref: F/TH/03/1200 Proposed 5 Storey development at Marina Esplanade
Dear Correspondent,
Thank you for your letter about the above development
I share your concerns that any development on the site should be such that overall the development should benefit the people of Ramsgate. There is scope to do enormous damage to the local environment and facilities if the opportunity is not handled well.
When the current developer's detailed plans for the site were first published, in November, I spoke of my concerns to TDC planning officers. They were, briefly:
The height of the development - I was concerned with the impact of the development overshadowing the Ramsgate Sands, the impact on the view from the Promenade and from Wellington Crescent and interference with the historic view from the sea and from the harbour.
The aspect of the development from “Casino Square” - My concern was that the development tended to shut off the beach and seafront and would discourage residents and visitors from using the beach. I also felt that the design was unsympathetic to the area especially in relation to the lift building. I felt that the opportunity to use the frontage onto Casino Square to create a public recreational attraction was being missed.
I was unhappy with the degree of public space and facilities incorporated into the design.
I had concerns regarding parking arrangements and access.
Unfortunately, detailed planning permission was granted without my primary concerns being addressed. However, TDC are still the landowners of the site and have not yet signed a development agreement. I was concerned that the whole Council should have the opportunity to reconsider the development and the detrimental impact the development would have on its surroundings. I therefor tabled notice of motion to the next full Council meeting on Thursday 2nd of April that Council rescind the delegation of granting development rights previously assigned to the Leader of the Council in favour of the Council itself taking the decision.
This gives the opportunity for Councillors to listen to the public's views, for fresh talks between Council and developers, and for all Councillors to vote for or against the development.
I'm sure many of you attended the public meeting I helped organise at Albion House in order that many Councillors as possible could hear the public's views. I can assure you that the delegation of Labour councillors that attended was impressed by the quality of the arguement. Unfortunately the Conservative group of Councillors did not attend and remain to be convinced.
I know, from your letter that you are as concern as I am about this development proposal. I hope you will feel able to write again to the Chief Executive of the Council, Mr Samuel, to express your views and ask him to copy your letter to all Councillors. If you can persuade friends and neighbours to write also, so much the better.
Thank you once again for the time you have taken to write. Together we may still be able to stop or alter this development for the better.
Yours truly,
Cllr David Green
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