Using the scale drawings from the Freshwater/Tesco planning application for work to the Arlington site in Margate, members of the local Conservation Area Advisory Group, Liam Nabb and architect Sam Causer have created a more detailed elevation of the drawing proposal seen from the beach. We can see how it will appear if the superstore portion of the development were completed without the seafront hotel and shops (these are outline planning only).
This is the most likely scenario, as the seafront part of the development has so far only been submitted for Outline Planning Permission, and is not tied in to development of the rest of the site. There are no contracts or developers in place for a hotel, shops or any of the other seafront buildings, so if a developer were to come forward they would have to apply for a new planning permission meaning the site could remain empty for years to come. The developer is asking for permission to demolish the seafront side of Arlington without having a contract in place for what will replace it. Our concern is that without the seafront buildings the most dominant building on Margate’s seafront will be the five-storey face of a flat-roofed superstore shed, FIVE TIMES the size of Turner Contemporary, rising up out of a private superstore car park.
This is in breach of Thanet Council’s own Arlington Planning brief which was adoped at Full Council in 2008:
“It will [...] be a requirement that comprehensive proposals are permitted for all of [...] the site and a contract in place for comprehensive redevelopment of the total site.”
This means that planning permission for a superstore should only be granted when all contracts are in place and full plans for the whole site are proposed. We do not want to see a massive five storey shed and private car park right next to the beach, with queues of traffic blocking the seafront.
This proposal goes against so many of the council’s other aims, including:
1) “[…] to provide a positive landmark development including a mix of uses that will complement adjacent sites and help regenerate Margate seafront and town centre.”
2) “A development that provides stronger pedestrian and cycle links and seeks to improve public transport links between Margate Station and Margate High Street, in order to improve permeability within central Margate.”
3) “The introduction of active frontages to the Marine Terrace and All Saints Avenue frontages to create interest, encourage pedestrian movement and make a place where people feel safe and secure.”
4) “[…] a high quality townscape relationship between the Arlington site and Dreamland and improving the relationship of the development to Marine Terrace, to improve its visual impact, accessibility and legibility in a manner that embraces the principles of Kent Design.”
5) “A development that embraces the principals of sustainability.”
We applaud the council for establishing these objectives back in 2008, but condemn them for failing to honour them now.
Furthermore, documents have recently come to light that where the developer Freshwater communicated to Thanet District Council on May 28th, just before the application went before Planning Committee in June, that there is currently no interest in the site from hotel operators, that they have a low perception of the area and that they, Freshwater, would have preferred a 5 year time period to get a hotel contractor in place. That’s 5 years with no completed seafront hotel in place and a gaping hole with views to the back of a supermarket from Margate’s Main Sands. Remember that when you next see a press article with a photo of a ‘revamped’ seafront with a hotel on it:
Philip Robin from King Sturge wrote to TDC Planning Officers, Cherry Aplin and Simon Thomas stating:
“3. We share your desire to see that the site planning permission is fully implemented at the earliest opportunity. There is no interest in the phase 2 development at present and we do not anticipate the situation will change until the supermarket is trading and the refurbishment of Arlington House has occurred, which will hopefully change potential hotel operator’s perception of the area. ..”
Download the email 23/05/11 19:21
So what are the odds on a Tesco petrol station on the hotel site instead ? ? ?
Or another Tesco in case this one, and the one being built half a mile away aren’t enough (enough for them, that is).
Look… Red Arrows!!
I’m shocked at how bad it actually looks with the proposed store in place. I actually think if it goes ahead our town will be renamed Tesco on Sea.
The hotel revelations, indicating that there seems to be no real intent towards doing anything to the area that isn’t actually part of a Tesco store, are surely another nail in the coffin of their proposal.
Is there a timescale re the Public Enquiry ie when letters etc. must be received by them to be considered ? And whether it is acceptable for, say, a few people to send the same letter (although from different addresses and people obviously). I’ve been told these have a significant impact on the Enquiry.
The Planning Inspectorate will receive written statements until the 23rd of December. It’s better to write your own individual letter than a template letter. We’ll be posting information on main points on the blog here.
Could it actually be the UK’s first seafront megastore?
THE HOTEL WILL NEVER BE BUILT THE SITE LEFT OPEN UNTIL TESCO COME TO THE RESCUE AND PUT A PETROL STATION THERE. I HOPE IF THERE IS A CHANGE IN POWER AT T.D.C THAT THE NEW LEADER WILL REMEMBER THE VOTE IN JUNE
I think it’s an eyesore, It will cause traffic congestion along the seafront. Tesco are going for countrywide domination and they don’t care who gets in the way. Margate is a seaside town, thanks to Westwood cross it no longer has a decent shopping centre so it needs to attract holiday makers to it’s wonderful sandy beach. A Tesco store on that site is just not appropriate
Unfortunately we are but the little people. Whatever our screwed up Council decides, will happen. Lets hope they think about the future of our lovely Margate, and not the lining of their pockets (which will make a change)
At the consultation meeting with residents where Freshwater were showing their proposal, a lady complained that the hotel would block her sea view. The Freshwater rep said, “don’t worry, we are never going to build that. We only put the hotel and shops in the plans because the Council asked us to, but we are never going to build it.”
The decision is now out of the hands of the Council and will be made by the Planning Inspectorate who will conduct the Public Enquiry. If anyone has doubts about the “seafront revamp”, representations can be made by anyone. The appeal files are available at the gateway to see by anyone the planning application file can also be viewed at the gateway or online. Info on appeals can be fond here. Lets not be apathetic and let a bunch of billionaires on ruin our town http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/planning/appeals/guidance/guidanceontheappealprocess
Looks truly awful, worse than I could have imagined. I really wish that everyone that says they are anti tesco would stop shopping there but unfortunately thats not going to happen as it seems prices and convenience always win out, however I really believe that Tesco is not the cheapest place to shop and its certainly not a pleasant experience. Still at least if everyone that can appeals its a much louder voice.