INthanet

have your say TODAY

2012-02-05T18:34:00.001Z

The Thanet District Council night flights consultation started last Friday and continues until 2 March 2012, details of which can be found here. If you are concerned about de-restriction of planes landing at Kent International Airport between the hours of 11pm in the evening and 7am in the morning, please send your concerns into the consultation, by post or email, quoting your name, full

A Section 106 agreement is NOT an ongoing planning permission

2012-02-01T17:43:00.000Z

The Section 106 agreement under planning legislation is used to define developer/owner/operator contribution to the local surroundings affected by a proposed development, if or when a planning permission is granted. It is not in itself an ongoing planning permission and is restricted to implementation in association with the granted permission This raises the question as to whether it is

Night Flight Consultation Response

2012-01-29T13:53:00.000Z

It is astonishing that in the 21st century a substantial installation such as Manston Airport should continue to exist on the basis of planning loopholes. Namely, Certificates of Lawful Development (LDCs) which only establish that a certain planning use was subsisting at the time of granting the certificates. To intensify such a use over succeeding decades must surely be brought into question

DUMMIES guide to employment in Thanet

2012-01-29T11:54:00.000Z

Don't be a "Tester" at Dreamland. APPLY HERE

Planning Loopholes.

2012-01-25T23:13:00.000Z

Ramsgate is in the invidious position of being sandwiched between two planning loopholes and both affect commercial operations surrounding the town. The difference in the local population’s attitude to these is remarkable. Port Ramsgate is constructed on reclaimed land and a great percentage of UK foreshore below High Water Mark is owned by Crown Estates, it is therefore exempt planning

LDC’s

2012-01-25T00:58:00.000Z

No, this is not a new type of TV or computer screen. Many of you may have happened upon this abbreviation whilst reading the planning section of the consultants report commissioned by Thanet District Council about night flying proposals at Manston airport. The abbreviation stands for Lawful Development Certificate and is issued by a local authority when an applicant requests such a

Port Masterplan 2011

2012-01-20T00:00:00.001Z

The Ramsgate Port and Royal Harbour Masterplan 2011 is to be discussed by the Cabinet Advisory Group on 26 January 2012. The plan is available to view here. It is quite a good document which is directing Ramsgate waterfront in the right direction, it draws on some outdated planning policies but makes no reference to the long awaited Core Strategy document which seems to have disappeared

Mary Whitehouse

2012-01-19T10:24:00.000Z

The “Blogging Hell” article on Big News Margate referring to yet another “disappeared” post at Worrow’s World, reminded me very much of the Mary Whitehouse days. Mary (now deceased) was a self styled “guardian of good standards” on TV. We now have a similar proposal for blogging and whilst I agree that bloggers must be ever vigilant for offensive material and comments, the current Thanet

Who nobbles the BBC?

2012-01-13T19:32:00.000Z

Couldn’t resist the cartoon, following today’s news from Thanetland but I thought I would write about something interesting (to me) I spend time in France regularly, so the “ EURO crisis” is of interest to me and I keep a watchful eye on exchange rates. The BBC News 6pm tonight (Friday 13th Jan 2012), headline was “Euro in free fall as Euro crisis deepens”, Hearing such news and with

Royal Sands – For Sale.

2012-01-10T20:43:00.000Z

Brochures offering flats for sale in the Royal Sands development are available at the Visitor Information Centre in the Custom House, Ramsgate and details are also available on-line (here) an interesting website which claims that 15 flats have already been reserved and will be ready for occupation in the Autumn of 2013. I think that is a rather optimistic estimate but I suppose the

Best Wishes to you all

2011-12-31T23:16:00.002Z

shoppingRAMSGATE.

2011-12-24T19:19:00.000Z

With shopping being in everyone’s mind at Christmas I felt this was a suitable post to read with your Christmas Turkey and a glass of mulled wine. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone. (Click on pictures to enlarge) The public consultation about this time last year, on the Core Strategy planning proposals, identified the possibility of making Staffordshire Street car park

YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE

2011-12-20T20:14:00.001Z

“There is no escape Mr Bond, I’m going to rule the world” I was touched by Tony Flaig’s posthumous tribute to his cat on Big News Margate earlier this week and decided to do a post about our cat “ALI” who is of a similar age, while he is still alive and kicking. Ali is a male Chinchilla long haired Persian, as seen in some James Bond films. This cat has

highspeedRAMSGATE

2011-12-18T14:05:00.000Z

A new Ramsgate swimming pool in the High Street has now been APPROVED The Localism Bill has become law and is now THE LOCALISM ACT. The Sandwich Enterprise Zone includes money for UPGRADING the Ramsgate Line There is no money allocated for building PARWAY STATION.. So NOW is the time for highspeedRAMSGATE There are many problems which need resolving in St Lawrence and Manston.

To PARK or not to PARK.

2011-12-11T20:17:00.001Z

Cllr Worrow has supposedly “seen the light” on the “trivial matter” of free parking versus parking charges and obviously the Conservative councillors are crying “foul”. But when are these councillors going to wake up and see the true situation. To describe the parking situation in Thanet as an absolute mess, is being kind to it. We have free parking in Westwood Cross to encourage out of

SHOPsuccess2

2011-12-08T20:43:00.001Z

RAMSGATE The Promenade Shelters Appeal Charity Shop at 52 Queen Street, Ramsgate, has been open for a second week. The shop was set up last week by Nelson Crescent and Prospect Terrace Residents Association to aid the Ramsgate Society Shelters Appeal and raised over £2000.in the first week. Agreement was reached for the shop to stay open for a second week until 10th December, and

SHOPsuccess

2011-12-03T22:49:00.001Z

RAMSGATE The Promenade Shelters Appeal Charity Shop at 52 Queen Street, Ramsgate, looks set to stay open for another week. The shop was set up last week by Nelson Crescent and Prospect Terrace Residents Association to aid the Ramsgate Society Shelters Appeal and has so far raised nearly £2000. Agreement has been reached for the shop to stay open for a further week until 10th December.

BACKDOOR planning.

2011-11-26T22:03:00.000Z

Getting “the cart before the horse” is becoming an art for Thanet planning policy. Planning application F/TH/08/0400 APPROVEDIndustrial development at Manston Business park (China Gateway) Planning application OL/TH/11/0910 BEING CONSIDEREDLand at Haine Road (Eurokent) New application for change from Industrial to

DEVALUATION by any other name.

2011-10-27T21:48:00.000+01:00

On the television at the moment, we hear that the EURO is in crisis and that the government should consider pulling out of Europe, I have never heard such codswallop. In 2002, soon after the EURO was invented, I had occasion to change a considerable amount of EUROs into POUNDS. I received 62 pence sterling for each EURO exchanged. That was the going rate when the EURO was born. If I wanted to

What kind of town do you want to live in?

2011-10-11T23:10:00.001+01:00

One that looks like this?Or one that looks like this?Volunteers are working for your town right now We need to win funding for the shelters restorationPlease go to:- http://communityforce.natwest.com/project/862 Register, receive an email to confirm your registration Log on and vote. We need every vote for Ramsgate, Only 12 days left to VOTE RAMSGATE NEEDS YOU Your vote could be worth

Cinderella on Sea

2011-07-31T00:02:00.000+01:00

“THE RATEPAYERS TEARS” Ville Views blog says, us Ramsgatonians live in a beautiful place, therefore we should shut up and keep playing second fiddle to Margate. This is a typical view of Ramsgate, stated by an outsider who knows nothing about the town. Ramsgate’s downfall is its beautiful location and setting, visitors are enchanted by

One small step for Ramsgate.

2011-07-13T11:31:00.002+01:00

The first week of August 2011 will see two promenade shelters on the Ramsgate seafront cordoned off in preparation for their complete restoration. This work is a pilot scheme by the Ramsgate Society, the first part of a larger project to restore 14 shelters which has been two years in the negotiation stage but is now nearing fruition. These two shelters will be out of action until early October

Buckets and Spades at the ready.

2011-06-03T19:09:00.001+01:00

One of Ramsgate’s big events is happening this Sunday, 5th June, The annual “Bucket and Spade” run will be travelling from Faversham to Government Acre in Ramsgate, arriving from 11.00am onwards. It promises to be a great event and the weather might just hold out long enough for it to be a glorious day. It is organised by ROMMCC (Ramsgate Old Motor and Motor Cycle Club), there will be many

Night Flying consultation NOW would be inappropriate and maybe illegal.

2011-05-26T18:29:00.001+01:00

Your ‘aving a laaff! Infratil pay an “independent” consultant to trot out the same old figures contained in their two year old Master plan and some sections of the population in Margate jump up and down like the coming of a second Messiah. Is it not a coincidence that the publication of this report coincides with the formation of our new hung “parliament”? Ask yourself some simple questions. Why

Where have all the flowers gone?

2011-05-21T22:05:00.001+01:00

Where have all the flowers gone?Long time passingWhere have Ramsgate’s flowers gone?Not long to goWhere have all the flowers gone?None on the seafront, yet again?When will they ever learn?When will they ever learn?

Margate – or bust.

2011-05-20T08:29:00.001+01:00

I had a couple of visits to Margate recently, one outside the Turner Contemporary and one inside. The outside visit was a walk around the Old Town area which has been nicely restored and provides an interesting backcloth to TC. It was Wednesday morning so things were quiet but on Thursday when I returned it was a bit livelier. What struck me from an architectural point of view was the thin veneer

What is Art?

2011-05-16T23:12:00.001+01:00

Since the opening of the Turner Contemporary there have been two main questions buzzing around the Isle blogs. Was it worth it? – and – what is art?. I think I will leave the first question for you to answer yourselves, otherwise I may be accused of damaging the tourist intake potential. So – What is art? I have been involved in architecture all my working life and the general consensus about

Election Reflections

2011-05-14T20:02:00.001+01:00

From the blog that gave you “Thanet Independents’ Day” even if it was more by luck than judgement and only included 1 new Independent out of the additional 14 who were standing. A mop with a red rosette would have been elected in Ramsgate, such is the strength of feeling against night flying. Anyway, I am now confident that drastic revisions will be necessary to “Shaping our Future” the Core

PUZZLED in Thanet.

2011-05-06T15:29:00.001+01:00

After the initial shock of defeat had sunk in, the next stage was a post mortem on the strategy employed and I have to say, I do not think I could have done anything differently which would have made the outcome any better for my chances, or stood in another Ward where my chances could have increased.. I chose Thanet Villages to contest because I sincerely believe the biggest future threat hangs

C’est la vie.

2011-05-06T07:47:00.001+01:00

Just returned from the count and found I have been unsuccessful in being elected, I would like to thank all those who supported me and voted for me, but it wasn’t to be on this occasion. Good Luck to Bob Grove, Mike Roberts and Linda Wright. Thank you all Ken Read

West by Sou’west

2011-04-23T18:14:00.001+01:00

Water to the North.Water to the East.Water to the South-East. The clue is in the name “Isle of Thanet”, before draining of an area around the River Wantsum in the Middle Ages, Thanet was in fact an island. Access onto this” island” is still from one direction only, West by South-West, a corridor where all land based communication must pass. This has certain repercussions for the prosperity of

Conservative Manifesto – REVEALED.

2011-04-19T22:05:00.003+01:00

Just in case you do not wish to wade through the whole 36 pages of the Conservative Manifesto to verify that the items which I have identified as Core Strategy policy are in fact contained in the Conservative manifesto. Here they all are: AIRPORT EXPANSION 4.3.7.5 Manston AirportYour Conservative Council supports the expansion of Manston Airport subject to suitable environmental safeguards. The

Chinese Puzzle?

2011-04-17T22:56:00.003+01:00

Much publicity was generated about the Thanet District Council delegation, which visited China in 2008 with the supposed intention of securing Chinese investment in the China Gateway project. Three years on, with no commitment by the Chinese to support the venture and a fragile financial predicament of the development company , no sign of economic advantage from the East Kent Opportunities LLP

The Big Issue? - 7500 Homes

2011-04-15T17:57:00.001+01:00

This is a rather interesting and emotive subject. The figure of 7500 is copied directly into the TDC “Shaping our Future” document from the South-East strategic plans as the allocation for the Thanet area, however this must be reduced by the number of current residential planning approvals not yet constructed, which I understand is a considerable proportion. Also approximately 1600 units are

“Margate Industrial Estate?”

2011-04-14T18:07:00.001+01:00

Jumbo jets landing every half hour, 24 hours per day, spewing out 600 passengers per hour (divide 6 million by the hours in a year) driven in a dozen coaches continually circulating the airport and mingling with commuter traffic to get to Parkway station car park, where the “ Manston Express” leaves every 20 minutes to cope with peak demand. Juggernauts thundering along the Thanet Way, to and

Towards 2026 and beyond -.”Shaping the Future”

2011-04-13T19:48:00.003+01:00

The forthcoming election will take voters in Thanet to 2015 but the document “Shaping our Future” is the proposed plan and policies to 2026. The document is long and often technical so I have listed the policies with a simple summary so you can judge how they affect you. Some of the policies are GOOD for Thanet others need amendment, I would like to help Thanet Villages have a real voice in the

Six million passengers.

2011-04-10T19:01:00.002+01:00

Before I get all the anti-airport accusations let me say that I am in favour of a “good neighbours” airport, partially because the repercussions from airport closure would be far worse than allowing reasonable expansion.and I also think the airport has a part to play in Thanet regeneration. What I disagree with is an immediate permission for 6 million passengers, whether or not they will ever

Crouching Tiger - Hidden Dragon.

2011-04-08T18:12:00.001+01:00

You may have forgotten about the Core Strategy document in the fever of an election campaign but just remember that it awaits to bite back as soon as the election is completed. This ill conceived document still contains China Gateway Phases 2 and 3, Airport expansion to 6 million passengers, undefined freight and night movements, Parkway station and 7500 new homes. Assurances have been given

NO COMMENT !!!

2011-04-01T18:35:00.002+01:00

Just as well I published my April Fool’s post this morning, it might be the only advertisement the poor old Turner Contemporary gets, even if it was by implication. I have to thank Don at Promote Thanet for highlighting this, but with only two weeks to go to the grandest opening in Thanet for many, many, many years, there is no substantial mention of it on either TDC website or Visit Thanet. Is

Thanet Art Gallery “opening” soon.

2011-04-01T00:06:00.002+01:00

Chalky Walker and his outside broadcast team are oiling their tripods and polishing their lenses in preparation for the big opening event, Local people are excited to see the result of 12 years of hoardings around the site and have high hopes that the finished product will live up to their full expectations. Chalky will be out interviewing visitors and getting their views about the future

Immortality? – I don’t think so.

2011-03-28T18:02:00.002+01:00

It must be that “certain age” or the current blogging vacuum caused by pre-election blues. It got me thinking about the wider issues of life. No, I am not feeling suicidal just contemplating the absurdities in life. Marches in London complaining about cuts, overshadowed by anarchists’ mayhem, whilst is Japan orderly marches to protest about nuclear proliferation giving no hint of the natural

LULL BEFORE THE STORM – or is it?

2011-03-20T12:32:00.001Z

With one Thanet blogster claiming he is gagged behind his seven veils of Purdah and others too busy throwing their toys out of the pram, to write about it. It must mean that the dark clouds of an election are looming. Pre-election blues have set in, when councillors feel un-loved and need to prove to their electors that they have only the elector’s interests at heart. One interesting

“BATTman returns”

2011-03-18T23:08:00.003Z

The BATTmobile was spotted in Ramsgate today, and boy, does the town need saving from the scourge of party politics. The unscrupulous dealings of the comedy Cons is only outdone by the suicidal in-fighting of the rose tinted lefties. FRANK BATT is just one of many INDEPENDENTS standing as candidates in the forthcoming local elections. He is a prospective INDEPENDENT candidate for Ramsgate

The Chronicles of Narnia.

2011-03-17T18:18:00.002Z

Having read that the transformation of “Matthew” into the “Dawn Treader”, was taking place today in the harbour, we wanted to see what was involved in the work. Large amounts of plastic and a purple ”Narnia” sail had been fitted when we arrived and the ship was beginning to look suitable for its forthcoming entrance into London. Also to be seen in the Royal Harbour was a fishing vessel on the

“A station too far?”

2011-03-16T19:29:00.000Z

The train now standing at platform 1 is the 8.01am calling at Birchington- on-Sea, Westgate-on-Sea, Margate, Broadstairs, Dumpton Park, Ramsgate, Parkway and Minster. If there is any time left over it may even go to London St Pancras but if not the whole process with be repeated tomorrow. Just what we don’t need is a new station on the horizon, which we can drive to, instead of the other seven

“LISTEN”

2011-03-14T23:41:00.000Z

On a recent occasion when I addressed a Thanet District Council Cabinet meeting about Asset Disposal consultation procedure, I made the point that if you consult the public on any subject, the completion of the process is to LISTEN to the feedback. A number of conservative councillors picked up on this comment and for some weeks afterwards the words “we are listening” were heard frequently. I

“Its good news week”

2011-03-12T18:13:00.000Z

London Array HQ under construction I was greatly heartened to read in the Thanet Extra that Ramsgate Week, our local international sailing regatta will be sponsored by London Array this summer. It is good that a newly formed local company with a social responsibility is helping to progress a local event for the good of the town. In

Backin a jif.

2011-03-10T22:50:00.000Z

'ave poot’on comm’mod’ wile U’m off’ze comp’pad, ‘ack-sawd thro’ze bleepin’ bracelit and shotoff t’ Benny-dorm. Actchlee U’ma space tourist, so Fannit “U’m watchin’yoo”. Google says they wan’ Ads onme blog, didn’t reckon they ‘spected meup ‘ere wiv’ze ol’ Poler-rude. Nice vooo tho’, rightin yoor bakyard, “weeds” doin’ fine‘ey. . Nice poool! Does yoor missus a’ways sun-bathe like that? – LIKE

“The wind in our sails”.

2011-02-18T23:16:00.000Z

"Or the wind in our homes” and I am not talking about the after effects of too much figgy pudding. Renewable energy is here to stay whether you like it or not and whether you feel it is cost effective and environmentally friendly or not. Ramsgate harbour is a major centre in the South-east of England for the construction of off-shore wind farms and as such maintains a working element to the

Quality craftsmanship in the public sector?

2011-02-16T18:22:00.000Z

Many Ramsgate residents live in listed buildings or in a house contained in one of the many conservation areas dotted about the town. When deciding to do repairs or alterations to your listed or conserved building you have no doubt come across the many restrictions placed on their owners. One particular requirement is the quality of craftsmanship and appropriate materials used in the works. The

What PARTY are you joining?

2011-02-14T18:37:00.000Z

Politics? What Politics? Election? What Election? No, I am talking about enjoying yourself,. Friday 29th April is a Bank Holiday for the Royal Wedding of Kate and William. Many street parties are being organised to celebrate the event, so get organised and get the party started. No need to worry about a hang over, you will have three days to get over it, before you crawl back to work. And I

ERROR or Mis-information?

2011-02-12T23:37:00.000Z

I read with great interest the Thanet Press Release which publicised the proposed Solar Park at Ebbsfleet adjacent to the Richborough Power Station. The press release stated the output would be 4000 to 5000 Mw, whereas documents attached to the planning application stated 4 to 5 Mw(p). Not being an electrical engineer I thought that I may be missing some subtle difference in these two output

How NOT to win friends and influence people?

2011-02-09T23:09:00.000Z

I never cease to be amazed at our council’s warped sense of serving the community. Four years ago we were asked to vote for the people who would represent OUR wishes and carry out the administrative functions in our locality. We will be asked once more in May to endorse these people again, or say “no you did not carry out our wishes”. Here are some of examples of their interpretation of “

COUNTDOWN CO-INCIDENCE ?

2011-02-07T20:24:00.000Z

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY! Number of days to opening of Turner Contemporary = 68 (Thanks Tony) Number of days to the Local Elections = 87 Co-incidence or WHAT ???

ROLL up! ROLL up! For the greatest bout of the century.

2011-02-06T16:23:00.000Z

THANET PROMOTIONS proudly present the contest you have all been waiting for on this sunny southern Isle. Two nationally acclaimed giants of the leisure scene come head to head for an epic battle of the Titans. In the azure blue corner with white yachts bobbing is the reigning Champion a favourite with Kings for centuries and holding the royal crown to boot. Their success through the ages has

"Don’t mix business with pleasure."

2011-02-04T20:42:00.000Z

Continuing today with the Royal Harbour theme. A recent planning application for building a bar and restaurant complex on the site of demolished slipways was refused by the council, and quite rightly so. It is not that Ramsgate can afford to turn down such investment but illustrates that a clear vision of the right place and right time is essential to good planning. Ramsgate is a town of two

Harbour half full – harbour half empty.

2011-02-03T18:43:00.000Z

A quieter blogging day today, so some Royal Harbour history. One thing’s for sure “the bottom is too near the top”, and why is this? Simples, there is too much sand in the harbour, John Smeaton knew this when he re-constructed the harbour between 1776 and 1792 and died still working on it. His recommendation in 1776 was for the construction of a cross-wall, not for promenading pedestrians, nor

“Let the sun shine in?”

2011-02-02T20:11:00.000Z

I was going to consider aspects of the Royal Harbour this week but there is never a dull moment on our psy-idyllic isle. Following a mood of doom and gloom, justifiably spread by the shattering news of Pfizer’s exit as a Sandwich filler. Two more dramatic events are now on the cards. Firstly the long awaited proposal for a new Margate Tesco superstore has been unveiled. It is an interesting place

“The World in our backyard.”

2011-02-01T20:04:00.000Z

Pfizer at Sandwich to close. Today’s announcement by Pfizer to close their site at Sandwich is a cold reminder to us all that Global decisions can have local impact, for years, maybe decades we have been hearing about jobs being re-located away from the shores of the UK. This is just the latest and closest blow in continuing globalisation trends. Jobs in East Kent are relying on decisions being

“Anchors Away !”

2011-01-31T21:10:00.000Z

“A-vast behind, pieces of eight, dastardly deeds are afoot down in Davy Jones’ Locker. Keel-haul the duffers and make them walk the plank. - Me hearties!” Well -er actually NO. It’s true they lost a gold anchor, probably melted down for bling at the lodge and the tall ships have disappeared over the horizon but there are small sparks of glimmering light at the end of a long tunnel. Plans for

“How green is your house?”

2011-01-30T16:46:00.000Z

The recent post at Thanetonline with a link to a Mail Online article exposing the true cost of wind power renewable energy, which shows a huge lake of radio-active pollution in China where neodymium is extracted for turbine magnets, calls into question “Is there any form of energy production which does not harm the environment?”. I don’t think anybody has much faith in the “green” credentials of

You couldn’t make it up, could you?

2011-01-28T15:25:00.000Z