Ramsgate branch passes motion on Port of Ramsgate

Ramsgate branch discusses the port of Ramsgate

At last night’s meeting of the Ramsgate branch, members discussed the port and a motion was passed expressing the branch position. This motion will be taken to the CLP’s next general meeting to see if it can be adopted by the whole constituency.

The motion passed is below:

THE PORT OF RAMSGATE

Ramsgate Branch believes that the economic development of Ramsgate (and Thanet) is being constrained by the failure to have a forward looking and robust vision / strategy for the development of Ramsgate Port.

Currently the port is costing Thanet District Council (TDC) a considerable amount with no financial return(about £3-4m a year). The current commercial designation of the port and its usage (concrete, gravel and other heavy industry ) brings little or no benefit to the local economy, particularly jobs and thwarts any other more economically robust development that would be consistent with the growing strategy that Ramsgate should foster a visitor economy. Heavy industrial use of this type runs counter to the various environmental protection zones that exist in the area

Ramsgate Branch believes that the port should have a mixed use designation , as have many other thriving redeveloped ports in the UK , with leisure and arts facilities/ hospitality/ housing and should include provision for fishing and other marine functions.

The forthcoming consideration of the Local Plan provides the opportunity to create the right strategy for the port’s designation .