On
9/2/03: The following press release (dated
10/2/03) was sent to themagiceye:
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Only Fools and Horses Star Joins Campaign to Save
Historic Fun Park
'Trigger' from Only Fools and Horses joins the
campaign to save Dreamland Pleasure Park (Margate,
UK) and its Grade II listed roller coaster, the
Scenic Railway, which is threatened with
redevelopment.
Actor Roger Lloyd Pack, who has been one of the
main characters in the long-running BBC television
series for over 20 years, has offered his complete
support to the campaign.
Roger says:
"I support the campaign to save Dreamland
unequivocally. An amusement park is far more
important to Margate than another development or
hotel. The needs of Margate should be respected more
than filling the pockets of a greedy developer."
The 1989 Only Fools and Horses Christmas Special,
'Jolly Boy's Outing', was filmed in Margate and
featured extensive footage of the cast enjoying
Dreamland's attractions.
Campaign leader Nick Laister said today: "It is
great to have someone as popular and high profile as
Roger on board with the Campaign. Roger's message to
Margate's decision makers is a clear one, and I hope
this will help to drive the message home. After all,
both the adopted and emerging local plans say
exactly the same thing.
This is a message we will be discussing with council
leaders over the coming weeks."
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Commenting this week on the Council’s plan to
launch a public consultation to find a
replacement use for the Dreamland site, Nick
Laister said:
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"What
is important here is Margate's future as a seaside
resort, and the retention of its most famous
attraction. Clear planning policies have been
drafted to ensure that Dreamland survives for the
benefit of the town.
The Local Plan states that redevelopment of
Dreamland will not be permitted, and the site is
home to a completely unique historic ride, which is
protected by its statutory listing.
One man should not be allowed to dictate a town's
future, nor should his decisions be allowed to
destroy a structure of such rarity and historic
value. What does matter here are the views of the
thousands of people who support this campaign, both
locally and nationally, who know that the
redevelopment of Dreamland will mean the end for
Margate as a seaside resort.
It is therefore important that the forthcoming
public consultation is based on proper planning
objectives in the development plan and national
planning policy guidance.
I say this to Thanet District Council: Don't throw
away all the work you have done on your Local Plan.
Don't throw away your town's history. And, most
importantly of all, don't throw away your town's
prosperity."
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Roger
Lloyd-Pack joined the Save Dreamland Campaign in
February 2003 (Photo: Tom Parsons)
The
Scenic Railway in action in 2002 (Photo: Nick
Laister)
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