Some good news for redevelopment followers - this press release just in from Thanet District Council:

Plans have been submitted by Thanet District Council for a derelict and underused area in Margate Old Town.

The application, for Queens Arms Yard, proposes a mixed use development of three and four storey buildings, which will house a café, bar or restaurant, along with 10 retail units or art studios and a total of 24 apartments.

The plans are part of the ongoing regeneration of Margate Old Town by the Council and the Margate Renewal Partnership to create a Cultural Quarter to complement Turner Contemporary. Artists have been involved in helping to draw up the plans of the retail units and art studios to ensure that they meet their needs.

Cllr. Roger Latchford, Cabinet Member for Economy and Culture, said: “The Council and Margate Renewal Partnership are working hard to regenerate Margate and a crucial part of that work is the creation of a Cultural Quarter in the Old Town. There’s no doubt that the work is starting to pay dividends there, with new businesses opening all the time and increasing occupancy levels. Obviously these plans will need to be considered carefully by our Planning Officers to ensure that the best scheme is achieved for everyone. The development of this site will help to bring an area, that’s been a target for fly tippers for some time, back into use, attracting both new businesses and residents into our beautiful Old Town.”

Copies of the application can be viewed at Margate library, Thanet District Council’s offices in Margate or online at www.ukplanning.com and members of the public can give their views on the planning application until Friday 31 August.