News reached us today that planning approval has been granted for David Chipperfield’s design for Turner Contemporary. Work will begin on construction this autumn, ahead of an opening date of 2010.

In support of this, work by Kent Highway Services to transform Fort Hill to a single carriageway will begin in April. The work is intended to improve connectivity between the Old Town and the seafront and will improve pedestrian access to the gallery site, the stone pier and the rest of the Rendezvous site. The area around the entrance to the Rendezvous site will be landscaped and high quality materials will be used for kerbing and footways.

KCC Cabinet Member for Community Services Mike Hill said:

“This is a tremendous step forward and we remain on schedule for the creation of this landmark building for Margate. A vast amount of work has gone into this project and we will soon see it really taking shape using David Chipperfield’s superb designs.”

Planning approval is great news for the town - finally, investors and businesses can start work with a greater confidence in Margate’s future.

If you’re interested, it’s well worth having a look at the planning application by visiting the UKPlanning website, and searching for application reference 07/1600.