“Is your glass half full or is your glass half
empty?”, a common way of expressing how one views life,or in this case the
Pleasurama site in Ramsgate. Not before time has a useless bunch of chancers
been given the boot from this prime seafront location.
So do we see it as a disaster or an
opportunity? Those on the disaster front see the problems of flood plains, sea
defence and crumbling cliffs as insurmountable problems to development and want
the clock turned back to provide a flat sea front car park or a new amusement
site for holidaymakers hopefully returning from sunnier climes.
Personally, I see this as an opportunity,
properly managed and re-designed to overcome the problems which have emerged
since its planning approval in 2003. The Pleasurama development in a modified
form could be a shot in the arm for Ramsgate’s economy. 80 to 90 well-heeled
families owning or renting seafront flats would provide a much needed boost to
the town’s economy. Tidying up the seafront eyesore would also change the whole
perception of Ramsgate’s main beach, added to that the high speed train can
whisk Londoners here for the weekend, Rank may find a suitably well-heeled
occupier for the Royal Victoria Pavilion and the Ramsgate Tunnels provide a
visitor attraction. Bingo, suddenly people have a reason to visit Ramsgate once
more. What can possibly go wrong?
