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Coinslot October 4 - October 10, 2013
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Wrangle for control of Dreamland reaches the appeals court
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The former owner of Margate’s Dreamland amusement park wants to quash the compulsory purchase order that gave control to Thanet County Council, saying its plans for the site are the most financially viable. he latest round in the fight for ownership of Margate’s historic seaside Dreamland amusement park has taken place in the Court of Appeal. The previous owner of the site, DreamlandLive, wants to reverse the compulsory purchase order that passed control of Dreamland to Thanet County Council after it was backed by the ruling of a High Court judge in May. The council, in partnership with the Dreamland Trust, want to create a heritage theme park with historical rides, classic sideshows, vintage cafes, restaurants and gardens. DreamlandLive has now asked three appeal judges to block the compulsory purchase order, which had
SUNSHINE LEISURE AMUSEMENT ARCADE IN GOLF LINKS ROAD More than 100 campaigners have taken part in a protest march against plans to build a Tesco Express store on the site of Westward Ho!’s Sunshine Leisure amusement arcade. Residents fear the new store could force local traders out of business. Tesco said it would provide more choice for consumers.
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been confirmed by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles in August last year. Richard Glover QC, for DreamlandLive, told the judges the order should be quashed as the Communities Secretary’s conclusion that the heritage amusement park would be “commercially viable” was legally flawed and based on factual errors and misleading advice. He described the passing of control to the council as a “draconian order with seriously harmful effects”, and argued that errors were made by a public inquiry inspector who recom-
mended to Pickles that it be confirmed. Glover also accused the High Court Judge that backed the order of failing to grapple with any of the issues raised about the commercial viability of the council and the Dreamland Trust’s plans for the site. Glover said:“Taken collectively, it is plain that the conclusions on commercial viability and durability are not safe.” DreamlandLive’s alternative proposals involve an amusement park on part of the land and the building of up to 500 homes on the rest, arguing that is was the most
financially viable option. Both the Communities Secretary and the council defended the legality of the order at a one-day hearing before Lord Justice Goldring, Lord Justice Elias and Sir David Keene. On hearing that the appeal was to be brought, Thanet County Council leader Clive Hart said:“The continued legal challenge is nothing short of frustrating. “With support from the Secretary of State, and the High Court, we are hopeful that the right outcome will be determined at the appeal, and will continue to do all we can to unlock
the regeneration of this part of Margate.” Dreamland fell into disrepair after closing its gates in 2003, and the council said it had been forced to carry out repairs to important heritage assets on the site, which had been left neglected It has already secured £10m of funding for phase one of the redevelopment, which includes restoration of the Grade II-listed scenic railway ride that was damaged in an arson attack in 2008. The judges have reserved their decision until a later date.
PENARTH PIER PAVILION REOPENS The Victorian pavilion on Penarth Pier in Wales has held its first event after a £4.2m refurbishment. It played host to members of the RAF’s 617 squadron, who marked its association with the famous Dambuster raids. Other test events will follow until the pavilion reopens fully in December.
New arcade set for Portobello REGENERATION
new amusement arcade is to be built at A the Scottish seaside resort of Portobello, near Edinburgh, replacing one demolished last month. Although smaller than its predecessor, the new arcade will be accompanied by a café, alongside 73 flats with underground parking, at a new development on the site of the old Fun City funfair.
Margaret Munro, chairman of the Portobello Heritage Trust, said she was sad to see the old amusement arcade go.
She told the Edinburgh Evening News: “It is the end of an era – there has been a funfair and amusements on the site for a long
time. It’s part of the heritage. There was a huge funfair once but over time it has gone. “It is a building of its time but I was still sad to see it being demolished. It’s something that you can’t bring back again now it’s gone. Tastes have changed and I suppose we have got to accept that.” The development project was approved by the city council nearly four years ago, despite
more than 80 letters of objection. Alastair Hackland, director of Hackland and Dore Architects, said the demolition had gone well. He commented: “We are hoping to start building work next month. It will be built in phases with the first phase at the western end. All being well, we hope to have the site completed in the next two to three years.” Resident Bob Jefferson
said the old arcade would be fondly remembered but agreed that the resort needed projects like this one to boost its regeneration. He explained: “I’m sure people will be sad to see it go but I don’t think there’s the market here for it anymore. “It will always be part of Portobello’s heritage and I’m sure people will look back at it with nostalgia and fondness.”