Residents have pledged to fight plans to turn a derelict site into a traveller camp, saying the land would be better-used as a hub for the community.

The rundown plot in Tivoli Brooks, Margate, is one of three earmarked to help tackle the increasing issue of illegal encampments across the district.

Each would be used on a rotational basis to host caravans and trailers.

But the Salmestone Ward Residents Association (SWRA) instead wants to retain the Tivoli Brooks site for the community, making use of a former education centre on the land.

It held talks with Thanet District Council about the future of the derelict building, including the possibility of purchasing it with other groups at less than market value through a Community Asset Transfer.

But two days after the meeting, demolition application notices appeared on the gates of the property, which is blighted by vandalism and contains high levels of asbestos.

Rowan Dickman, vice chairman of SWRA, says the council has not fully explained the reasons for the sudden demolition notice.

"I would like to see transparency on how the council came to the conclusion that demolition is the only option," he said.

"We want to know how they came about that process. Maybe the community needs to have another independent company come in."

The council is still investigating the use of the Tivoli Road land as a potential tolerated traveller site. The two other plots earmarked are Ramsgate Port car park and Potten Street car park in St Nicholas-at-Wade.

In council discussions on the use of the Tivoli Road land, Cllr Rob Yates said he stood against plans for using it as a traveller site.

He said: "In the overview and scrutiny meeting I spoke against the idea.

"It’s too close to businesses and residents, and it’s right next to Dreamland theme park."

Despite their frustration about the future of the land, members of SWRA say their issue is not with the travelling community.

Mr Dickman said: "My belief is a community is only as good as the most vulnerable people, and if we can’t look after the travelling community as well as every other diverse group, I think we've failed. They have a right to live and right to exist."

Cameron Dougherty, a local resident and part of SWRA, believes there are other local areas which would be better-served as traveller sites.

He said: "We even have sites in our ward which would be better suited than this one.

"We are representatives of everyone in this community, including travellers."

Jan Miller, 72, of Manston Road, says using the land for the community is essential in such a "It could do nothing but benefit the whole area, from babies and toddlers up to old-aged pensioners, and everyone in between,” she said.

"It wouldn’t be just for Salmestone, this is a Margate community.

"As we have so much deprivation in this area, it would be a one-stop place for them to go for advice and help."

Mr Dickman added: "It could be so multifaceted, helping the elderly who are lonely, a drop-in centre, helping those with special needs.

"The PCSO could use it as a surgery; the councillors could too.

"We need to maintain an asset which is a benefit to the community."

The group is urging people to send any comments on the proposed demolition to the local planning authority before Monday, February 24.

A spokesman from Thanet District Council said: "The future of the site will not be decided immediately."

The SWRA is also organising a meeting on Wednesday, February 26, to discuss plans to fight for the land - to find out more click here.

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