Commenting on the shadowy Thanet District Council ‘Extraordinary Cabinet’ meeting tomorrow Craig Mackinlay, MP for South Thanet, has declared that “there is just 24 hours to save Broadstairs’ rural spaces from the developers”. Thanet District Council will tomorrow consider a report from officers for a rapid disposal programme of acres from Thanet’s green spaces. Raising particular concern is the sale of Joss Bay’s Cliff Field and of the Philpott Field next to Maurice House on Callis Court Road. These proposals to develop upon well-loved sea views face scorn from the local MP.
Commenting, Craig Mackinlay has said: “We all know that after the debacle of Dreamland the Council has debts to pay but a firesale of our precious green spaces is no way to fill it. The Cliff Field at Joss Bay is a sight that brings hundreds of tourists to our area – auctioning it to the highest bidder is irresponsible in the extreme. I think every resident of North Foreland would be opposed to this.
The site of Callis Court Road is essential to maintaining the rural environment of the area. Taking a site often used by the community and Maurice House and concreting it over for housing without any increase in infrastructure is just plain wrong.”
The Council has put the Green Wedge at the top of its planning policy for years – “I’m at a loss as to why, all of sudden, it seems to want to bin it. In just 24 hours we may lose these green spaces forever – we just cannot let this happen.”
The MP has written to neighbouring residents calling on them to attend and voice their concerns regarding these proposals at the Extraordinary Cabinet Meeting at 6.00pm in the Council Chamber, Cecil Street, Margate, Kent.