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Tuesday 22 October 2013

Illegal Demolition Ramsgate High Street?

Here is a short film taken on Monday of the demolition of a property at 79-85 High Street by Panther Limited. To the best of my knowledge Panther does not have planning permission or conservation area consent to carry out this demolition work. They have not notified adjoining residents who share party walls with the property of the work they will be carrying out. The Council warned the company when they  previously tried to demolish the property. The workers turned up again on Saturday, Sunday and Monday to continue with the demolition. Despite being alerted by local residents and myself the Council has taken no action whatsoever to prevent what appears to be  illegal demolition work. Nor have they yet communicated with very worried residents who are concerned  about what is going on. A terrible example of shameful TDC incompetence, or is the Council deliberately turning a blind-eye in the hope of removing the old buildings by stealth?



One of the demolition workers came round to the house where I was filming from  and started banging on the door and shouting. This was witnessed by 3 people. Sadly I was unable to film it.

13 comments:

  1. Isn't this a police matter?

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  2. Come on TDC get your act together if this was an individual doing unauthorised work you would have acted by now? It maybe right to demolish the building but there is installed procedures that must be followed! The council now need to take this Company to Court and hopefully get a conviction with a hefty fine to discourage a free for all situation? (Some Companies calculate the risk of prosecution against the real cost of following the Law?)
    Also these workers were at risk as I cannot see that any of them had safety harnesses in place the H&S should be informed so they can carry out a site visit on other work this company may carryout in the future?

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    1. Is not the simply answer then, 1108, to inform H & S or do you expect your minions to do everything for you. No, Peter, I very much doubt that a contravention of planning law or buildings regulations constitutes a criminal matter involving police. You are beginning to sound like Garbutt with demands for police involvement in everything.

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    2. Well excuse my ignorance Mr Cowardly Anonymous, but I thought anything illegal (ie against the law) was an arrestable offence.

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    3. You confuse criminal law with civil law, Peter, and no need for the cowardly stuff. The police only deal with criminal matters.

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  3. illegal or not at least its good bye years of eye saw hopefully a new building in keeping with area but dont hold your breath on that

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  4. One may be calling for an ambulance if more of this is to continue!

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  5. I have had a response from TDC, who confirm that the roof removal is not considered demolition.

    This is mostly an issue of communication to residents of TDC and the bizarre decision to not allow demolition of an unsafe building.

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    1. Thanks Joe. This is most helpful. If only the Council had made the effort to let local residents know what had been agreed with site owners then a lot of problems would have been avoided. Once again another example of TDC ineptitude.

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    2. Actually it isn't, Barry. The planning application for 79-85 High Street, Ramsgate is in the name of Panther AL (VAT) Ltd. Contrary to what it says on the planning application, they're an organisation based in Potters Bar. I don't know how to unravel the ownership arrangement, but a) it is the same registered address as Panther Securities Plc and b) shares directors who c) are involved in a large number of companies with 'panther' in the name.

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