Gate ground proposals 'recommended for approval'

Margate are hopeful that their application to massively remodel Hartsdown Park will receive approval as they go in front of Thanet Council next week.

The club, in conjunction with IHG Hotels, want to build a one hundred and twenty bedroom hotel- a Holiday Inn Express- as well as making enormous changes to the rest of the ground. As they explained on their website in June last year, the proposals are as follows:

'The East Block will comprise of a 120-bedroom hotel together with restaurant and bar facilities. The building will also include space for MFC club offices and a club shop together with the stadium control room. The stand will be all-seater and have a capacity of 650.

The North Stand will be a terrace with a capacity of 1,300 and behind this and integrated into it, there will also be space for first team home and away changing facilities, together with ancillary spaces associated with the first team. Further on the ground floor, there will be several studio type spaces for various sports and associated activities. On the first floor, will be a café/bar facility which overlooks the pitch.

The car park will be extended to provide 104 parking spaces and will provide access to all of the East Block offices, shop and hotel. The North End turnstiles will be renewed and relocated into the site to allow access into the ground from the car park.'

According to Kent Online, those plans are now likely to be approved. They state:

'Officers at Thanet District Council are recommending the decision on the proposal be deferred for approval, once consultation has been undertaken with the Secretary of State, which is required due to an objection from Sport England over the loss of part of a playing field to parking.'

The Planning Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday. We'll let you know the outcome.