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[Margate Football Club]

Margate Football Club have received a letter from Thanet District Council regarding the Business Case and Planning Application, which the Club submitted to them on 10 December 2004.

 

At this time the Council are still requesting further information despite having called our Developer and Directors to a meeting earlier this week to resolve any outstanding issues.

 

Thanet District Council are closing their offices today and will not re-open until 04 January 2005. They have advised the Club to use this time to submit the additional information requested.

 

Whilst this appears to be mission impossible, with nearly the entire construction industry closed for Christmas and our Developer in Australia for the next few weeks, the Club will do its best to get this information prepared for when the Council return from their holidays.

[Cookie]

So why the meeting today at the council ofices?

[hartgeman]

what is this council up to giving the club an impossible deadline. why dont the council just say hand in the paper work as soon as they can.

[Cookie]

Because the council want it to be seen that any knock back would be down to the club and not down to the council,whatever the truth might be.

 

Update

Quote "We have just received confirmation from the Planning Department of Thanet District Council that the detailed plans submitted earlier today form a complete and valid application".

 

Up the Gate!

10 Dec 2004 by Media

 

Was it too "spot on" for you thanet council that you have now yet again shifted the goal posts.

 

 

 

 

[MargateFan]

I cannot say I am surprised, although saddened and angry. I was waiting for some kick in the teeth from the Council, and here it is, timed perfectly, well planned and thought out, to make things as impossible for the club as can be.

With everything grinding to a halt for Christmas, and everybodys' minds on the festivities, they must have thought it was a very good time to bury bad news. Cynical does not even begin to describe it.

[ooh!!bodyform]

was a statement not released stating that they had recieved them and they "fill a full and valid application???"

 

i do not believe this bloody council

forever contradictary

[Cookie]

SEE TOPIC "EZEKIELS REPLIES" PAGE 3 OF FORUM POSTINGS.

[Guest]

Thanks TDC, you've managed to spoil my christmas (not to mention the last two years) but hey why am i not suprised!

[michael]

Seems a bit of an own goal by the Council if it is as the statement suggests.

 

I suspect MFC have put a slight spin on their statement.

 

In fairness, it is their(TDC) land so they are entitled to be cautious and as posted previously, a decision on such a large scheme in two weeks was never going to happen;and their were bound to be further questions to be asked.

I do not take that as a negative.

The positive is it has not been rejected.

 

In turn , councils have a duty to be fair and reasonable.

 

The timescale for further information is obviously unreasonable(if it is exactly as put in MFC statement).Because it is also unfair, i would anticipate that their unreasonable timeline may in the medium term actually be to the benefit of the club in any legal battle/appeal against TDC if at any stage they decline the application.(which they have not yet done so lets stay positive)

[michael]

Just read the council statement on Kentonline and it is pitched differently.

 

4 jan does not appear to be a council deadline, but obviously early decision is vital for the club and supporters.

 

As i have not seen the business case, i cannot comment on its strength , but in fairness to TDC, drawings are one thing but substantiating it and evidence of funding are somewhat different.

 

I can only trust that the developers have certainty on these,but you can't blame the council for checking things out thoroughly.

 

There does seem animalies however with how they have treated other substantial cappital projects.

 

However, it is not an outright rejection-just a request for more info.

 

We have to hope that the developers can provide the right answers.

 

My gut feel for what it is worth, is that the info will be provided by mid Jan.

Council will take 2 weeks to review it.

I do not know dates of next council committe meetings but i would suspect end Jan and end Feb.

Thus i would anticipate this going to committee in late Feb with a posive outcome in favour of MFC.

 

Can the club survive until then however?

[michael]

I think also its a case from MFC of they should underpromise and over deliver.

I think too much emotion is being brought to bear on all of this.

Terminology such as 'decision by' and 'deadline date 'is too emotive.

Much more efficient and professional if people go calmly about their business to achieve the end result

[ooh!!bodyform]

very difficult to be calm when ur being shafted by a government office that hold power over evrything that happens to thanet, and i think we have been calm enough in the approach to all this but for us fans it has been and still is 1 HELL OF A ROLLERCOASTER!!

[michael]

Just seen the letter which as i posted above does suggest that the council have acted out of order.

 

Unfortunately, whilst the letter is correct and MFC may win the current battle, by taking this action it may not win the war.

I actually think it a shame that the letter has been sent and will not help MFC in the long run.

[michael]

Not sure who is trying to bully who here.

 

All a bit pathetic imo

 

Deja vue with JP a year ago when all parties were calling each other names.

 

A bit worried since a year ago after his outburst at council JP withdrew his support.

 

Unfortunately a wounded animal sometimes retreats to a corner ,makes one last attack and then dies.(or ressurects at Dover)

 

I hope that is not the case with the developers in this instance.

Sometimes such attacks are a way of justifying their withdrawal.

 

 

 

Hope i am very wrong

[Cookie]

Obviously I dont know the true ins and outs of what is going on behind the scenes but my gut feeling is that a further deadline isn't nessasary at all and that everything is inplace already and just ready for the seal of approval. All this is my own personnal feeling but I believe, and it dosen't take a genius, that the coouncil ae just hoping that we will all go away and then leave them with a clear road to their own private ends. They are asking of things that are not needed, They are playing dirty and not being honest.

[michael]

I think its a simple case of TDC saying 'Show us the money'.

 

Once proof that funding is there, i would anticipate it flying through, but it seems at the moment ,that has not been provided.

[knighty101]

how can it be a case of show us the money CnC assets of over 200 million plus profit of 18 million a year?

 

and im sure i read that tdc met with cnc who gave details to that effect.

[Guest]

Bloody stupid plan in the first place badly thought out. The club knock the ground down without permission to rebuild and play first in poxy dover and then even worse ashford.

All the MFC fans who still put your trust in the people running the club,obvoiusly love MFC.

It's just a pity your not running it yourselves.

[Guest]

I'm amazed that everybody's slating the council again about this.

 

Did we really expect them to see the plans for the first time and say "yes they're all 100% perfect" ? If you applied for planning permission to put a shed up you probably wouldn't get it approved instantly - there'd be changes to make - so it's hardly surprising that TDC need more info on such a major scheme.

[MargateFan]

What absolute poppycock, anonymous twits. The ground was given planning permission, the demolition was known about by the council. The problem was with the previous developer.

Obviously you know very little of the history of this sorry saga or you would not post this kind of twaddle.

The statements say the issue is with the business plan anyway, not the planning application.

Those of us who truly love MFC recognise the efforts put in by the club and its partners to bring this project about, and thank them for it. We also recognise who really tries to bring football back to Hartsdown, and who does not.