Thanet Greens Call for Ramsgate Seafront People's Plan

Andy Jefferson and Ian Driver Exciting Plans to Regenerate Ramsgate Seafront

Thanet Greens have called for a Ramsgate Seafront “People’s Plan” to act as a blueprint for investment and regeneration for over 3 miles of the seafront, from the former Lido to the Port.

Ramsgate resident and Green RTC by-election candidate Andy Jefferson said: “Ramsgate’s seafront is a fantastic asset which, with solid investment and sympathetic environmental management, could easily become a driving force behind the town’s economic revival. A regenerated seafront would attract thousands of new visitors to Ramsgate every year as well as attracting past visitors back, creating much needed new jobs, training and business opportunities.”

The development of this type of plan would need to be supported by Ramsgate Town Council (RTC).  But it would have a key difference from RTC’s previous Ramsgate Maritime Plan which, according to Green Party co-ordinator, Ian Driver, “was devel 
oped behind closed doors and only involved a tiny handful of pre-selected consultees”. This new plan, on the other hand, would be a genuine “People’s Plan” for the seafront, based  on extensive consultation with local residents young and old, community organisations and businesses, big and small, all of whom would be actively involved in developing it.  Experts in seafront planning and development, and politicians and officers from successful seaside towns would also be invited to provide advice and expertise.

“It’s hard to be definitive about what such a plan might include”, said Driver “but I’m sure that the talents, energy and creativity of Ramsgate people will produce some very exciting ideas. Personally I would favour the transformation of the Port into a modern 21^st century marina to supplement the capacity of the Royal Harbour. The possibilities for regeneration and change on the seafront are immense, and the potential is massive”.

The Greens are upbeat about securing funding to regenerate Ramsgate’s seafront. They point to EU and UK regional development and other grants, which have already supported business development in the harbour arches, as possible sources of finance, and raising money through Council borrowing against increased income coming into the town in future. They would also support investment from appropriate private companies who wish to become partners with the Council in developing the seafront. Said Driver “The time has come for Ramsgate residents to start building up an ambitious People’s Plan to regenerate their beautiful seafront.”

“The best plans are always developed by the community from the bottom up, rather imposed on people from above by bureaucrats and politicians.”

 

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For more information contact Ian Driver 07866588766 e-mail  ianddriver@yahoo.co.uk

promoted and publishes by Ian Driver 45 Sea View Rd CT101BX on behalf of Ian Driver and Andrew Jefferson Green Party candidates in the Newington by-election.