The middle of Hartsdown Park to be disposed of.

The middle of Hartsdown Park is to be fenced off with a 2 metre high fence for a synthetic football pitch for Margate Football Club as this is connected directly to the similarly fenced and little used five aside pitch you can pretty much say goodbye to the middle of the park.

The map above says it all really, click on it to enlarge, what is going is the bit outlined in red, I was a bit surprised that I hadn’t noticed this one on the assets disposal list, as are the people who use the park who hadn’t seen any signs about this happening in the park.

Many thanks to Margate resident Bob for pointing this one out to me, this is what he has to say.

"Residents of Margate have been surprised to learn that Hartsdown DevelopmentCompany on behalf of Margate Football Club have been granted permission toconstuct in Hartsdown Park. a large artificial grass fenced in football pitchabutting the existing 5 a side enclosed pitches This will have the effect of denying the people of Margate, to whom the land was left by the Hatfield family, access to a further large part of the park, access having already been reduced by the construction of the 5 a sidepitches now rarely used.

The planning approval states that only two objections were received. Thisis hardly surprising as it is understood only households on Tivoli and Hartsdown were advised of the development. The users of the park were not consulted and notices of a planning application were not evident in the park. Surely a development of this kind should have had maximum publicity before a decision was taken?

In the past year the park has seen much greater use. Footballers, both boysand girls have put down their markers and practised their skills. It is wonderful to see the young children from the nursery school using all parts of the park. In the woods, on the logs and with their trundle trucks making expeditions to Tivoli Park.

If the development goes ahead they should still be able to get there but they will have to take the long way round because their usual route will be blocked by a fenced off football pitch.

I feel sure members of Margate Football Club are trying to do their best forthe club but please do it on your own land, not land that belongs to the people of Margate.