Complaint 2.11.2009

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Complaint 2.11.2009

Hi I wish to make a formal complaint about the lack of public information about the Royal Sands Development on the old Pleasurama site in Ramsgate.

The last drop in session displaying plans, artist's impressions and sample building materials with representatives from the council and developer present to answer questions at Albion House, was years ago.

Since then I gather the plans and some of the building materials have changed substantially, most especially the roofing material.

I also gather that the building contractor has changed.

Form the inception of this project which is the largest in Ramsgate for many years on the prime leisure site in the town, the council has promised that there would be information about it available to the people of Ramsgate, all of whom will be effected by it including myself.

I also wish to complain that the developer has closed part of the public promenade without any public notification by the erection of a boarded up area on the public footway, it is the notification issue here that I wish to complain about.

I also wish to complain about the lack of information about the project on the council's website, important as this a major development on council owned land in which the council have the opportunity to profit from considerably.

The sort of information I have in mind is the time schedule for the development, the effects on local people (road and pavement closures, disruption caused by site access)

artist's impressions of the site both viewed from ground level and the cliff top.

I appreciate there are some artists impressions in the planning and design statement submitted in the original planning application and published on the uk planning website, however these pertain to the first set of plans for the gull winged roofed building and not the latest set of plans that the developer appears to be going to build to.

Subject: Complaint, Comment or Compliment to Thanet District Council - TDCCOM1016 Date: 02/11/2009 14:41:33 GMT Standard Time From: customer.services@thanet.gov.uk

Reply To:
To:	michaelchild@aol.com

Dear Mr Child

Thank you for your comments which will be dealt with by the appropriate department.

If you have made a complaint we will investigate this thoroughly and respond to you within 10 working days. If we are unable to resolve your complaint within this time, we will write and keep you informed of our progress.

If you have any queries, please phone Customer Services on 01843 577000 or email customer.services@thanet.gov.uk quoting your reference number, which is TDCCOM1016.

Customer Services

Thanet District Council

Please do not reply to this email as you will not receive a response. If you have any queries with regard to the online forms system please email webteam@thanet.gov.uk


Subject:		Thanet District Council - Feedback Response
Date:		13/11/2009 13:13:32 GMT Standard Time
From:		******@thanet.gov.uk
Reply To:
To:	michaelchild@aol.com

Dear Michael

Customer Feedback Reference:12047/1131422

Thank you for your recent communication which was received on 02/11/2009

16:46:02.

I am sorry that you feel that this proposal has not been the subject of

sufficient public information. With regard to the specific issues you

raise I can comment as follows:

The materials for the development are the same or of the same type as

those shown at the public meeting on the scheme. The plans have not

changed materially to those displayed at the meeting and the roofing

material is as shown at that meeting. There was discussion over the

possibility of use of a grass or other natural roof, however concerns

relating to the exposed location and seagulls being attrcted to the roof

resulted in this option not being pursued.

At the time of the meeting I do not believe that there was a development

partner formerly in place. We have encouraged the developer to establish

some form of regular liaison meeting to keep local people appraised of

the progress of the evelopment and it is my understanding that this is

the intention. Clearly this did not happen in relation to the erection

of new hoardings, the developer will be requested to ensure there is

liaison in the future.

There are up to date plans and elevations of the development on the uk

planning web site. I can ask the developer to update these, no doubt

this will be a prerequisite of any marketing strategy.

In terms of the provision of public information on the Councils web

site, we only have general information of the developers intention

related to timescales for the commencement of stages of the site

development, the detailed information is very much within the remit of

the developer, subject to certain performance requirements within the

development agreement, which I am informed by my legal colleagues is not

a public document. All recent reports on the agreement have been

considered out of the public domain.

I understand that the developer intends to commence groundworks and

construction of a surface water drain in early 2010, with commencement

of the structural frame in 2011, with the aim for completion in 2014,

however this is not definitive

We hope that this resolves the matter to your satisfaction.

If you are not happy with our response, you may write to us with your

reasons within the next ten working days, requesting a further review.

In order for us to respond as efficiently as possible, please ensure

that you quote the above reference number and address your communication

to Pauline Davis - Customer Feedback Co-ordinator, Regeneration

Services.

Yours sincerely

******

Major Developments Manager

Subject: Re: Thanet District Council - Feedback Response Date: 13/11/2009 14:07:45 GMT Standard Time From: Michael Child

Reply To:
To:	*****@thanet.gov.uk

***** thank you for your response to my complaint I will consider it and decide if I wish to take any further action within the 10-day period you mention.

Could you clarify one point for me, is this also a refusal to my freedom of information request for the development agreemen, if I haven’t heard from you by then of the day I will assume this is the case and exercise my right of review.

You will appreciate my confusion here as the complaint reference I was given when I placed it on 2.11.2009 was TDCCOM1016

Best regards Michael