Having been left for over seven years to fall into disrepair, Dreamland Amusement Park in Margate is now at the forefront of talks between Thanet District Council and the owners, the Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company (MTCRC) over it’s future. This much-loved amusement park, a popular tourist destination in it’s hay-day, should be saved according to the Council, which want to create a park of historical rides on the site, and have in place £10m to carry out these plans. However this is not to the satisfaction of the owners, who have a much different and ambitious vision for the site to include 400 homes, the restoration of the Scenic Railway, a digital media studio, an outdoor space and the potential for restaurants, cafes and shops.
Recent talks between the two parties have proven to be unsuccessful in reaching an amicable agreement for the future of the seafront site and so, starting on Tuesday, a public inquiry will be held. Thanet District Council have applied for a compulsory purchase order (CPO) to buy the site – a decision to which the owners, MTCRC, object. The public inquiry is set to last two weeks, in which time the planning inspector will decide if the Councils application for a CPO is legitimate. The recommendation will then be submitted to the secretary of state who will make the final decision in June.
Despite the conflicts, it seems that the Dreamland site, having been left empty for many years, will get some much needed TLC and come back to life, whatever shape or form that may be. This is fantastic news for the people of Margate, the local economy and for the rejuvenation of this great seaside town!
