Margate get the go ahead for their impressive stadium redevelopment which is sure to bring in new fans to the Isthmian League club.
Plans for a 120-bed hotel, new stands, restaurant, café, club shop and car parking at the non league outfit been given the green light following consultation with the Secretary of State.
Margate’s application was developed with hotel partner IHG Hotels and the brand Holiday Inn Express to reflect increased demand for hotel rooms in Thanet.
The East Block will be used for 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.
On the ground floor, there will be several studio spaces for sports and associated activities.
On the first floor there will be a café/bar facility which overlooks the pitch.
The car park is to 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.
Plans for a hotel development at the Hartsdown site were originally granted in 2012. Really goes to show how long this has took.
The initial scheme was for a football stadium, an 80 bed hotel, fitness club, children’s club, children’s play area, theme bar, conference and banqueting suites, hospitality boxes, admin offices, boardroom, 10 five a sides and a full size all weather pitch and associated parking and landscaping.
The current plan rearranges the internal space of the hotel to expand the rooms to 120 instead of the 80.
Developer contributions secured from Margate FC include £12,338.16 for the Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMM) plan to offset the potential impact on protected birds at European designated sites from increased visitors from the district to these areas.
Thanet Council had been required to consult the Secretary of State due to an objection from Sport England over losing the open space with the extension of car parking taking a plot of land at Tivoli Park, however the go-ahead has now been granted.
A statement from Margate FC says: “Margate Football Club is delighted to let supporters know approval from the Secretary of State and Thanet Council has been granted for our stadium re-development plans.
“This is great news for the club, our supporters, our local community and our future. We look forward to making some further positive progress and will keep fans updated.”
The notification of planning approval was published by Thanet council on the 28th of May.
Fans reacted as Margate get go ahead for impressive stadium redevelopment, see what was tweeted below…
@krb63: Great news, well done to all at the club…… but after so many false dawns and broken promises in the past lets keep the champagne on ice until its actually built. #upthegate
@johnomfc: 🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾👏👏👏👏👏👏
@VAustenWHU: That’s awesome! ⚽️👍🏻
@GoonerGate1: At long last 😎👍
@JCharlieB90: Fantastic news! What a time for @ONeills1918 to be partners of @margate_fc and @Margate_YouthFC 👏🏻 Exciting times head!
@stuartleedorset: Right so when does it all start ? Let’s hope very soon
John Paul: Well done to everyone involved, a new era is coming!!
Gavin Hall: Well done everyone who has stuck at getting this done. Onwards and upwards
Andy Everson: Absolutely fantastic news. Congratulations to the owner, directors and all involved
Alan P W Anstice: Well done Margate FC and Chris Chambers in particular 👏
Adam Thrumble: Up the Gate
Chris Miles: Brilliant, thanks for the update and can’t wait to see it!!!
Alistair Bayliss: What a smashing presentation – very exciting! 👏👏
Claire Bourne: About time, when my dad was mayor he championed this
Daniel Winsbury: The future looks bright, well done to all those involved 👌🏽
Joyce Brian Faulkner: Excellent news! Well done to all involved 🙂
Andy Constable: Great news , I’ve got a couple of Spades if you want to start digging tomorrow 🍺👍⚽️
Steve Ball: Finally ground development appears to be just around the corner. Really looking forward to timescales of what we should expect when
Steve Albon: Fab news
David Gorrod: Yes!!! Great for the club and great for the area
Phil Povey: Fantastic news, onwards and upwards
David Harris: Fantastic news for the club and the local community!!!
— Terry Scott (@serephina2001) May 28, 2021
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