By Local Democracy Reporters Gabriel Morris and Daniel Esson
A multi-million-pound Thanet council project at the Port of Ramsgate has not, as yet, attracted expected invested from the private sector, necessitating a ‘phased’ approach to the build.
The proposal for a ‘green campus’ for training, enterprise and light industry is one of the projects under the £19.8million Levelling Up Fund (LUF), awarded to Thanet council by the government in 2021.
Some £6.1m is earmarked for the Military Road campus, built partially by the council and partially by the private sector. The aim is for the site to provide training, education and business opportunities for the marine and maritime sector.
Project bosses want the buildings to be ‘eco-friendly’, running completely on electricity rather than gas, with electric vehicle charging points as well as parking spots for bikes.
However, a report to TDC’s cabinet meeting on Thursday (October 24) says anticipated match-funding from the private sector has not been “forthcoming and secured.”
“The design has developed to be a phased scheme, with the first phase achievable within the LUF budget,” the report adds.
According to the development brief, the campus would consist of three blocks, labelled Blocks A, B and C, with TDC constructing A and C, while a developer or tenant would take on B.
A planning application has been submitted, which will define the actual physical structure, but not necessarily what it ends up used for, although ‘general industrial use’ is specified in the brief. The application has not yet been published.
Money from the government’s Levelling-Up Fund is time-limited – so local authorities that receive it must spend it within a deadline – and TDC’s is March 2026.
TDC is planning to build the two blocks of the campus between January 2025 and March 2026, while the developer will be expected to develop its section by March 2027.
A development brief published this month says: “This opportunity is for a tenant/developer to deliver Block B of the site for a maritime-related business/organisational use.
“The council will lease the development site to the tenant.
“Blocks A & C of the Green Campus development will create a hub for maritime education, skills and business, once completed in early 2026.”
TDC hopes to attract businesses in sectors such as:
- Marine and maritime services: including shipbuilding, marine engineering, cargo handling and shipping services.
- Renewable energy: the site offers potential for operations in offshore wind energy or related industries.
- Logistics and distribution: businesses requiring storage, warehousing or logistics operations.
- Light industrial use: light manufacturing, assembly or related industrial activities.
- Other commercial uses: proposals for alternative commercial uses will be considered
The deadline for expressions of interest in the Block B development is just days away, on October 30.
But critics have said they are not surprised that investors aren’t forthcoming, saying the plans are still sparse and without “vision.”
Cllr John Davis (Con) describes the expectation that businesses would come forward as it stands as “frankly ludicrous.”
“How can you go out to tender and go into a binding contract when you don’t actually have a specification, a model or a vision?” he asked.
“What sensible contractor is going to do that?”
“At the moment we’re looking at an empty tin shed with solar panels on the roof.”
Cllr Davis argues that with the Thanet windfarm off the peninsula’s coast, there’s no shortage of possibilities for the campus to be used, but he believes those possibilities have been scuppered.
He added: “Match funding, we were told, was a key part of the whole levelling up process, which was designed as seed money to attract further investment.
“Instead of that we end up with a project with no match funding, no business case that we can find, and more questions than answers.
“It’s poor management I believe and profligate spending of money potentially for the sake of spending that money.”
Stephen Byrne, of the Ramsgate Regeneration Alliance, is also sceptical of the authority’s management of the project.
“It’s not ‘build it and they’ll come’ – build it and provide a complete management infrastructure to allow their businesses to grow,” he says.
“As it stands, without a business plan, of course it’s not going to work. Who’s it going to sell to, who’s going to buy its services?”
However, council leader Cllr Rick Everitt said there has been “significant interest” in the campus and warned that naysayers could deter potential investors.
Cllr Everitt said: “The council is currently inviting expressions of interest from maritime organisations to develop Block B, one of the three green campus buildings which have been designed and submitted for planning approval.
“We have received significant interest in this opportunity, which will contribute match funding to the green campus programme.
“While we understand that there are differing opinions about the green campus and wider Levelling Up schemes in Ramsgate, it’s crucial to highlight that a unified community approach is essential for attracting investment and fostering growth. Negative commentary locally from parties who cannot be fully sighted during negotiations because of commercial confidentiality can inadvertently create an environment that deters potential investors, ultimately impacting our town’s development and the benefits that new projects could bring.
“The council remains committed to engagement and collaboration with the local community. By working together and focusing on constructive solutions, we can create a positive narrative that highlights the opportunities available in Ramsgate and the wider district.”
It’s understood that the when the bid for Levelling Up cash was submitted, it was anticipated that match funding would come from renewable energy businesses already based in Ramsgate but companies then confirmed they were not considering expanding their land-based operations.
Contractor for 4 Ramsgate schemes
At Thursday’s meeting Cabinet members agreed that procurement for four Ramsgate regeneration projects would be brought together under one works contract. This would result in one main contractor being responsible for delivering the construction works for Ramsgate’s Clock House, Pier Yard, Green Campus at the Port and a highways scheme.
The Clock House, Pier Yard, Campus and highway project sites have been through early design stages with council-appointed design teams. They are now ready to be passed to an external contractor to complete the remaining design and construction delivery.
Ramsgate Clock House
The refurbishment of the Ramsgate Clock House was included as part of the original Ramsgate Levelling Up Fund submission. The scheme aims to refurbish the Grade II* Listed structure, creating a heritage centre for the town and a new café.
The original project was based on a successful Heritage Lottery Fund bid. As this was ultimately unsuccessful, the scheme has undergone a number of changes for the available budget of £1,785,000. This included removing plans for a restaurant but there will be a café.
The council is working towards the development of the operating model for the future running of the Heritage Hub.
A planning application is due to be submitted in December 2024. It will include a café to the side of the Clock House. The ambition is for it to support the sustainability of the Heritage Hub, by providing a small income for the maintenance of the building.,
Ramsgate Pier Yard and Highways works
The Pier Yard scheme was part of the original Ramsgate Levelling Up Fund submission and the Highways works was part of the Future High Street Fund bid.
The two schemes have been combined to benefit from one construction contractor and programme. This allows the council to make the most of the funding available.
In the Pier Yard car park, the scheme aims to remove the parking and create a public square.
The aim of the highway works is to improve the roundabout and crossing points along Harbour Parade, Military Road and Royal Parade and improve connectivity between the town centre and harbour areas.
The Planning Application and S278 Agreements needed to deliver the scheme through Kent County Council are targeted for approval/completion by May 2025. The total budget is £2,955,264.
Ramsgate received £2.7m from the Future High Street Funds granted in 2019 and £19.8m from the Levelling Up Fund granted in 2021.
The funds now come under a Simplification pilot that brings together £51m in funding for the Ramsgate schemes, the Margate Digital project and the £22,2m Margate Town Deal in one pot.
The Green Campus development brief and application for expressions of interest can be found here
Additional reporting Kathy Bailes
The dreams of those spending other peoples money hitting the reality of those spending their own.
Nail.
Head.
Hit.
How about TDC completing a few on the other unfinished/unstarted projects before embarking upon more pie in the sky.
Let’s see the Winter Gardens up and running. Let’s see the Clock Tower Toilets. Get the Ramsgate Clock House sorted out.
All these wonderful plans – but nothing comes to fruition – and if it does, it takes years and comes in at twice the proposed budget (that was extortionate in the first instance).
As a concerned resident, I feel compelled to speak out about the absolute disaster that these proposals are turning into. It’s unbelievable that there’s still no business plan and no operator in place—just a lot of hot air from the council. It’s shocking that more councillors in Margate and Cliftonville aren’t stepping up to challenge these plans. What exactly is happening with the Winter Gardens and Walpole Bay? This situation is fast becoming a joke and looks like it’s heading for disaster. It’s clear why other organisations have pulled out of the process—because the overall management of the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) by the council has been nothing short of abysmal. Heads should be rolling for this. It’s obvious that many councillors have no idea about their remit or the real issues at stake. How can we trust them to get anything done right?
Why would Cliftonville or Margate Councillors challenge these plans when they are about Ramsgate Port? The completely separate Walpole Bay project seems to be progressing just fine and there was good news about the Lift and the Skate Park only the other week.
As usual Cllr Davis has no idea what is going on but takes the opportunity to rubbish the project anyway. I wonder why?
Does he speak for his party or other private interests? He’s not the Tory spokesperson on the port and harbour, or on their front bench, and there’s a reason for that.
Oh dear, Richard, knocking anyone who dares to criticise you and your cabinet.
What are you and yours doing to secure the investors that are needed?
If they can’t be interested, are you going to let the Government claw back the funds?
Where will that leave the Ramsgate Harbour Development, without Developers ?
It’s all very well putting the boot into anyone who isn’t in your team..
Surely that is not very sporting, given your association with Charlton Athletic, should yo not be spending more time in getting your Council to be more proactive in securing investors, instead of attacking all and sundry.
You are not displaying much of an example as a political leader. Perhaps you are not in the right position ?
Mr Everitt – what a juvenile response! Attacking someone with differing views to yours in the vein you used is rather pathetic from an elected councillor. The basic problem is you and your Labour Councillors do not have a jot of business acumen between you. The opportunity given by this money will be wasted by incompetence,
Give the high street money was awarded 5 years ago its nothing short of embarrassing that nothing has been spent. Similarly, it is obvious that of all the LUF bids the green campus is the most unlikely to succeed. And of all the places to put it, why shove it in the mid point of Military Road? Who would sit on a rooftop cafe there? The obvious place to put it is next to the beach, in the section where the travellers were.
This aside, Pier Yard and the Clockhouse are what residents and tourists want.
This merging of budgets is logical but why take 5 years?
And for Rick to suggest local unity is required for investors to come on board just says it all. Debate and scrutiny is required, all we have is low to no progress.
The levelling up funding for Ramsgate was awarded in October 2021.
The high street funding was earlier but in both cases (highways and workspace) the projects have been merged with LUF ones because they will deliver more together.
I became leader again in May 2023 and we’ve progressed Broad Street and Newington to the point of delivery in the new year; the Clock House and highways schemes including Pier Yard are happening, although we can’t sensibly deliver the latter in the summer. There will be public engagement to share the latest highways plans next year.
We do have commercial interest in the Green Campus. It’s never going to be top of the public wish list but to get the money the council had to tick the government’s boxes and we’re confident it will help regenerate that area.
Some people don’t want anything to happen at the port because they have their own agenda for it, but nobody at TDC including the Tory front bench believes it is deliverable – and doubtless they would have delivered it when they ran the council if they did.
There needs to be a national enquiry into the use of Levelling Up and Town Deal funding by local councils.
A shameful waste of money across the entire country. This was a once in a generation opportunity to pump millions of pounds into Thanet’s infrastructure and it is turning into a complete mess.
Over £50 million for Thanet. Is anything going to plan or to schedule ? Margate Digital College – £6m shelled out and nothing being done, these projects with no progress and no match funding in sight.
It’s embarrassing.
Groundhog Day.
3 June 2019
A port has run up losses of £2.5m this year, taking its total deficit to more than £22 million in nearly a decade.
More than £3.5m was spent on Ramsgate Port in the year to the end of March 2019 but income totalled just over £1m – leading to a loss of £2,511,000, according to newly-published accounts from Thanet District Council, which owns the site.
Ian Driver, a former councillor who blogs on Thanet, said: “I, and many others, came to the conclusion a long while ago that Ramsgate Port was not economically viable.
“We have been arguing for several years that the port should transformed into a leisure-focused modern marina, but the council hasn’t listened, preferring instead to waste £22 million of public money keeping open what is in effect a ghost port.”
a public square = brilliant!, so what are people going to do with it , walk round and round in circles ? i expect to knocked over by skate boards or electric bicycles , total nonsense – have they looked at the parking down the seafront ? they even park on the top of that mini roundabout .i think polly whatever her name is wants go back to doing the housework.
You can’t walk round and round a square!
Why, does he have bad legs?
The commercial incompetence of the council beggars belief. Few officers or councillors would survive a week in a proper business where there were processes to hold them to account on their performance.
Barry, survive a week??? They wouldn’t survive to the first coffee-break in my business.
How many TDC employees does it take to change a light bulb? About 500.
The mechanisms to hold councillors to account are much stronger than those in the private sector. They include elections, formal public meetings, opposition politicians and in the case a partnership board involving MPs and local business and community leaders, whose membership can be viewed on the council website.
The levelling up programme is complicated and its implementation by government was half-baked, requiring wasteful competition between councils and awarding sums for projects they were in some cases ill equipped to deliver and which ticked boxes nationally but not necessarily locally.
Nobody is saying everything is perfect but the premise of this article is that there is no commercial interest in the green campus, which is simply not true. If the overall situation with the projects was as described by some commenters, do you not think the Conservative front bench or the local leaders on the board would be expressing the same level of concern, even if you wrongly assume the council leadership wouldn’t be? Is it likely everyone involved at all levels is as stupid as some of you suppose, even though they have the facts?
The reality is we are progressing through a very complex process making public decisions regarding planning and procurement, some of which are in the council’s hands and some of which are not. Margate Digital for example is almost entirely out of our hands. The Margate Creative Land Trust had just acquired a significant property. Winter Gardens was only allocated £4m this year and we are working through a live tender process. We can’t provide running commentary on that.
The port tender has been fantastically complicated from a legal perspective, but what I can say is that it doesn’t cost taxpayers £2.5m a year as much of that is depreciation. It’s not money the council is paying out each year.
The next 18 months will see delivery across a range of the projects. The funds have to be committed by March 2026. It’s not useful to try to assess the overall success while each of the schemes is still at the design and procurement stage. I understand it’s frustrating but there is a huge amount going on and you will start to see the outcomes very soon.
The premise is there is no private investment in the scheme, which comes from TDC agenda papers. It clearly states there has been some interest, but that has not converted to funds, and provides a good deal of context about the LUF projects because I have quite heavily edited and added to the original LDRS article.
Thanks, Kathy. The original match funding was thought likely to come from the wind farm operation, but their circumstances changed and this was ruled out some time ago. That’s what the report is describing. However, we now have significant private sector marine interest in Building B.
It’s not reasonable that we would be able to confirm interest in all the space ahead of planning consent, which itself requires design work, but we have done sufficient market testing to move forward with the scheme. The latest procurement (the subject of the cabinet report) is to build – the successful contractor will not need confirmed tenants for the other units as that’s not their business. We are confident we have interested parties for Building B. Hence I struggle to see the relevance of Cllr Davis’s comments – but that’s his problem, not yours.
I agree the handling of this story by the LDRS was not robust enough and appreciate you taking the trouble to edit it, which others may not.
So much space to do all sorts with, but not a single councilor with the competence to do anything, how about looking at other towns or cities and see what brilliant schemes they have come up with.
I’ve said before ferries will not work, warehousing is a waste of space, in my opinion a leisure and small shop marina with car parking toilets etc would bring investment and visitors to Ramsgate.
Who in hell would financially support anything dreamt up by TDC?
A council chamber of bottom-feeders who have considerably less than a iota of common sense let alone a vision for Thanet’s future (other than turning the island into a massive sink estate).
Any project that does get off the ground would necessitate dealing with a TDC workforce of clock-watching jobsworths who, frankly, seem to do little more that loaf about all day.