Kent council wins Dreamland court battle
by Jessica Tasman-Jones | 03 May 2013
Plans for a £10m heritage theme park attraction in Margate, Kent are back on track, following a High Court ruling against a legal challenge that would have prevented the development.
Judge Sycamore dismissed a legal challenge by current owners, Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company, over the decision to grant the council ownership of the site.
The secretary of state for communities and local government gave the council approval for compulsory purchase of the site in August last year.
Following this month's court ruling the council will now work to secure title to the land before access to the site can be granted and work can proceed.
The site will celebrate the British seaside and popular culture and include historic thrill rides, classic side shows, vintage cafes and restaurants, and gardens.
To be designed by Hemingway Design, the project includes funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's Sea Change Programme and the Heritage Lottery Fund, as well as Thanet District Council.
Council chief executive Sue McGonigal said: "Getting to this point has certainly been frustrating, especially with the site left vacant and unused for a significant amount of time.
"Our focus now will be to progress with plans to dramatically regenerate Dreamland and I look forward to seeing the potential benefits this will bring to Margate."
Plans for a £10m heritage theme park attraction in Margate, Kent are back on track, following a High Court ruling against a legal challenge that would have prevented the development. Judge Sycamore dismissed a legal challenge by current owners, Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company, over the decision to grant the council ownership of the site. The secretary of state for communities and local government gave the council approval for compulsory
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