College could be moving in - Discussion of Northdown future

A COLLEGE could take over the running of Northdown House, council leader Sandy Ezekiel has revealed this week.

Thanet council held a public consultation meeting on Wednesday for residents to give their views on what should happen to the house which was controversially added to last year’s disposal list.

The first option is for public use, which could include community or charitable usage, social services, health services or social housing.

The second option is for the transfer of Northdown House, with additional covenants, to the community itself.

Almost 2,000 names were submitted as part of the petition and 50 representations were made on this site, more than any of the 15 other sites on last year’s disposal list.

Cllr Sandy Ezekiel said: “We are in talks with a college because that is one of the uses that are available for the building. ILooking around it isn’t DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) compliant and so you couldn’t get anyone up the stairs. PComing here I think people can see the costs involved in keeping the building running because it’s set over four floors. What we want to do is keep the costs to the taxpayer at a minimum.”

He also revealed there may be the possibility of a health centre after suggestions from the public.

Legal arguments between the Friends and the council over whether it can legally sell it off to developers continue.

William Friend, grandson of James Irvine Hatfeild, who donated the site to Margate Borough Council in 1937, says the amenity was intended to remain in public use.

He said: “The deeds show the whole property is covered by the covenants which say it should be used for community use. The council has plans to put 12 houses next to Thanet Mind but they want to put a day centre on part of the land which would be much more what my grandfather would have liked to see the site used for.”

One of those submitting her views was Jan Holden from Ramsgate whose daughter had her wedding reception in the house.

She said: “I don’t like to see any property sold off. My son-in-law was involved in the previous lot of renovations and my daughter had her wedding reception here so it holds a lot of memories. I’d like to see the place brought back for community use and make it a great venue again.”

Also at the meeting was nearby resident Ken Trowbridge. He said: “I don’t go along with the idea that they should palm it off onto the community. That would mean setting up some kind of trust and ultimately they would probably run out of money in these times.

"They’ve got to do a better job promoting it and we need to get clubs back here. They could have a cafe open serving tea and ice creams when they come to play cricket, that could bring income or renovate the children’s play park. I do like the idea of the college though.”