I am quite annoyed about this. I think keeping interesting historical sites like this is paramount to the regeneration of the town!
The council just seem to be writing the place off! What a shame!
Full story here
http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/news/Dark-days-caves-diggers-roll-action/article-3136375-detail/article.html


£17.5 million pounds on a white elephant on the seafront or 100k on making Margate caves safe.... I know what I would rather see open!

~Lee

Ooooooooooh don't get me started. I love the caves, In my opinion the caves are a fantastic asset to the town and I think they should be maintained and expanded with maybe a visitors centre.
When I was a kid my mates and I were fascinated with tales of smugglers, caves and secret tunnels, the Council needs to expand and promote them, not slap houses on them.

Tony

This is a massive shame and as you say is not helping the state of Margate! I think its only going to get worse. I expect the grotto will go as well and im amazed things like Monkton chalk pit are still open to visitors. There are loads of little attractions that have died a death over the years.

Dont think they can count on tourists bucks if the Turner's open but everything else is shut!

If a pile of bricks can be classed as art then so should a blooming big hole underground

The Margate Caves now have a website!
It would be great to see Thanet Classics members supporting this cause!

http://www.margatecaves.co.uk/

I have just received this message from Margate Caves. It would be great if as many people as possible support this cause it doesn't take 5 minutes of your time!

our first objective is to ask for the Planning
application on the site to be withdrawn. If you have not already done
so, could you please visit the ukplanning website and submit an
objection, which will further strengthen our case. I have attached a
link to the UK Planning website below:

http://www.ukplanning.com/ukp/custom/forwards/selectandsearch.jsp?council=Thanet%20District%20Council&fwd=search/

You will need to search for the Planning application using the
application number which is F/TH/10/0546. If, for whatever reason, this
link does not work, then please visit www.ukplanning.com and again
search under the application number.

You could also help our cause by emailing the English Heritage in
support of the Caves being listed. Two applications have been submitted
and currently English Heritage are in talks with Thanet District Council
about gaining access to view the Caves. The English Heritage reference
number for the Caves is 1081 and the contact email address is:

mike.german@english-heritage.org.uk

Have got my letter back to say thank you for supporting the cause!

I really want to go down the caves now and have a last look just in case.

I have just been sent the Margate Caves first newsletter, which I found quite interesting especially the bit where they discuss the cost of reopening the place!

Newsletter attached