Thanet council has withdrawn a plot of land from its latest asset disposal list after it was revealed the authority does not own it.
The land between Montefiore Lodge & The Old Stable Block at King George VI Park was one of 11 sites listed for sell off due to be discussed by Thanet council Cabinet members on December 16.
However, it has emerged that the site was bought by Italianate Greenhouse leaseholders Phil and Janice Dadds in 2018.
Janice said: “Phil purchased the land last year and holds the title deeds. He has a lease on the greenhouse, it’s got sometime to go. About 15 years ago they did the same thing with our house. The officers really didn’t know they had already sold it.”
Thanet council uses GIS mapping to show what sites are owned b the authority. A spokesperson said the mapping had not been updated to show last year’s land purchase.
Italianate Glasshouse
The Italianate Glasshouse is also listed with a recommendation that first refusal be offered to Phil and Janice Dadds who hold a long-term lease on the site. A special condition of sale is that the glasshouse be kept for public use in perpetuity.
The Italianate Greenhouse has been at the park since 1832 and was originally part of the estate owned by Sir Moses Montefiore. It was taken over by Ramsgate Borough Council in the 1950s but fell into a state of disrepair until its restoration in 2005.
It is Grade II* listed and was renovated in 2006 with a £30,000 grant from English Heritage towards the works costing £122,154. The property is leased on a peppercorn rent for a 20 year term.
The greenhouse is attached to and is an integral part of the house which Phil and Janice own the freehold for.
The couple open the Greenhouse for free to the public and pay for its upkeep and maintenance. They match-funded restoration cash and spend thousands each year keeping it open and maintained.
It attracts thousands of visitors to the glasshouse and tearoom each year.
