Government gives green light to Margate ground proposals

By Ian Townsend

Or should that be blue light? Hartsdown Park redevelopment is all systems go!

Back in March we brought you the news that Thanet Council had signed off Margate's plans to redevelop Hartsdown Park, and since then the Blues have been nervously chewing their finger nails hoping that the Secretary of State would give them the thumbs up. It has now been announced that the final hurdle has been cleared, so many congratulations to all at the club. As a reminder, the plans look like this:

'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.'

We look forward to heading to the grand opening, whenever that may be!

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