Mechanical Memories Magazine

In 2004, Thanet Di strict Council commissioned consultants TM2 to produce a
masterplan for Margate, to include the Dreamland site. The Campaign quickly
distanced itself from the consultation exercise when it became clear that none of the
options put forward in the questionnaire included the retention of an amusement park
at Dreamland. The Masterplan was co-funded by Stadium Developments.
On 30 th March 2004 Sarah Vickery attended a Margate Masterplan Public
Consultation Meeting at the Winter Gardens. Representatives from Thanet District
Council and Tibbalds were present to discuss the first draft of the Masterplan. In a
report on the Save Dreamland Campaign website, Sarah stated: "I pointed out that the
plan is predicated towards redeveloping the site; worryingly the Tibbalds
representative I spoke to was not aware that two amusement park operators have made
offers on the site. I also pointed out that Question 5 of the Questionnaire is
inexcusably loaded, as well as being misleading; the Scenic [Railway] cannot be
moved so this should not be suggested as an option."
On 9 th April 2004, the Save Dreamland Campaign submitted its formal
representations on the Margate Masterplan. In this letter and representations I was
very critical indeed of the approach the consultants had taken towards the study. The
covering letter explained why we believed the Margate Masterplan was seriously
flawed:
"The consultants do not appear to be aware that two established amusement park
operators have confirmed their intention to acquire { Dreamland] at full
independently-assessed market value and invest millions of pounds in its rides and
infrastructure. It is believed that this investment would return Dreamland to the major
regional tourist attraction that it was before it was acquired by the present owner. We
know that the consultants were not aware of this because the representative from
Tibbalds Planning & Urban Design Ltd (the lead consultants) confirmed this at the
stakeholders consultation meeting on 30 March 2004."
The letter also asked why the retention of the Scenic Railway within an amusement
park was excluded from the questionnaire, despite being one of the options considered
in the report. It also asked why Question 5 of the Questionnaire was 'loaded'.
·
The Thanet Local Plan Inquiry was held in spring/summer 2004 and the session
on Dreamland was held on 29 June 2004. I submitted a proof of evidence on behalf of
the Save Dreamland Campaign and gave evidence on behalf of the Campaign. Susan
Marsh MBE, now the Secretary of The Dreamland Trust, advocated for the Campaign.
In summary, my proof of evidence made the following key points:
•
The Dreamland site was of critical importance to Margate as a seaside resort, and
must be retained and enhanced. It was the only tourist attraction in the Isle of
Thanet that drew more than 100,000 visitors (even in its then artificially run-down
state it drew almost 700,000 visitors per year in 2002, placing it in the top ten
amusement parks in the country). I presented evidence that gave some initial
indication of the effects of Margate's first Easter without Dreamland, with
disappointment expressed by visitors and tourism businesses.
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