VISION FOR THANET PROPOSED

A vision of how Thanet will look in 20 years time is being put forward by Thanet District Council for people to comment on.

The document looks at how the council would like to see the whole area and specific parts, including Broadstairs, Margate, Ramsgate, Westwood, the Manston Park business park and Kent International Airport, looking forward to the year 2030.

The vision is going before Cabinet on Thursday 12 February, with a consultation version due to be published by the end of the month if Cabinet Members are happy with the document's contents.

By 2030, the council believes that Thanet's economy will have been renewed, helped by a busy airport at Manston, a thriving offshore wind-farm industry and the arrival of more creative businesses in Margate, helping bring more residents and visitors into the town. Other ambitions include tackling deprivation in the area's poorest neighbourhoods, improved education levels and leisure facilities, less crime and better road and rail links.

Broadstairs is seen as remaining a traditional seaside resort, while Ramsgate is viewed as a premier sailing destination, with an expanded marina and additional ferry operators. Margate is predicted to undergo the most radical change, following on from the success of Turner Contemporary, with extensive redevelopment of the town centre a likely prospect.

The vision for Manston is that the Manston Park business park and Kent International Airport will become the commercial centre for Thanet, with both creating thousands of jobs over the next 20 years. Westwood is seen as a complete community, with homes, schools, leisure, sports, shops and other facilities all in the area.

Leader of Thanet District Council, ClIr. Sandy Ezekiel, said: "It's important for the council to set out how it sees Thanet progressing and developing over the next 20 years. By doing this, we can then focus our activities and resources into making that vision become a reality. It also sets out clearly exactly what we are aiming to achieve for our staff, members and residents and that's why we want all of them to take a look at the document and give their views. The council isn't just producing something for itself, we're producing it for everyone who lives and works here and we want people to play their part in helping to form the vision for Thanet."