This application comes back to Thanet District Council’s planning committee for decision today.
Frankly this is a Margate issue and not something that I really understand, there is a certain amount of background information that some people may have missed, so here it is.
Dreamland Trust’s response to TDC ‘independent’ heritage report
Arlington House Residents Association letter to councillors
THE TWENTIETH CENTURY SOCIETY email to the council
http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/arlington/index.htm
Personally my take on this is as a heritage issue, there is a sense that the council may be under pressure to make a decision before English Heritage has had time to assess whether Arlington House should be granted listed status.
Personally my take on this is as a heritage issue, there is a sense that the council may be under pressure to make a decision before English Heritage has had time to assess whether Arlington House should be granted listed status.
Listed status ?? Seriously ??
ReplyDeleteFirst it's the Richborough chimnneys that should be listed and now Arlington House ! Blimey, see some sense people. Arlington House is an eyesore, plain and simple. If we start listing blocks of flats made from concrete then what's next ? Staner Court, Kennedy House, heck maybe even Kwik Fit or Tesco Extra !!!
I thought this was a full council decision or have these promises been overlooked. What worries me is that money talks and I wonder if Thanet Council are man (or woman) enough to turn down a powerful company like Tesco. Margate sea front is not the place for a Tesco of any sort.
ReplyDeleteBring Tesco on and save the town
ReplyDeleteThe place should be demolished but, listed, surely someone is on the wrong tablets.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, as I live in Broadstairs and only view this eyesore when travelling I guess it is down to the good people of Margate.
As to the Richborough chimneys, and being old enough to remember that landscape without them, I say
pull the hideous things down. On the other hand, what should have been listed was the old Haine Road hospital.
I have always thought Arlington House to be an ugly building. Still, maybe the people that live there love it.
ReplyDeleteThere is a certain inconsistency between regeneration through contemporary art and the slating of contemporary architecture. I am wondering if Arlington House isn’t likely to be demolished if listed status would be a better option for it.
ReplyDeleteI have been perusing old pictures of Margate and apart from Dreamland Cinema, Arlington and the Turner Contemporary there is very little, in the way of buildings, on the foreshore either modern looking or designed by a known architect.
In a way it’s a pity Tesco didn’t go for a more radical design, as if Margate does really become a cultural destination the presence of this rather dull lump will take a bit of explaining.
Turner Contemporary looks worse than Arlington House yet such an uninteresting looking building was still built on a key regeneration site. No problem with having a gallery just the design (or lack of) of the building. Kennedy and Trove look much better now too.
ReplyDeleteA radical design by Tesco would certainly be better if it ends up on the sea front. Let's have something challenging not bland and boring.
Yep, its gone to Full Council. I think its a good call so that a fully considered decision is made. The next scheduled Full Council meeting is 8th December.
ReplyDeletePeter, you probably will in 2014!
ReplyDeleteJames, the decision to go to council was fully supported by all LABOUR members. Most Tories wanted to resolve the issue there and then. What a strange Conservative you are or, could it be that you are a double agent?
ReplyDeleteThere goes the Grand Plan...
ReplyDeleteAt least you coughed to it, James, so you ain't all bad!
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