The
Issues
Whitstable Harbour is successful. Nevertheless, future repairs may be
difficult to fund. In 2006, Canterbury City Council invited proposals
to develop the South Quay to boost income. However the developers' plans
would have ruined the harbour.
The
WHW Campaign
In Summer and Autumn 2007 a campaign of letter writing, newpaper and
TV coverage, petition and meetings made the feelings of the people of
Whitstable plain to the Council. Whitstable Harbour Watch is pleased
that the Harbour Board and Canterbury City Council decided to reject
all three developers' proposals.
Current
Situation
WHW accepts that the South Quay, together with the rest of the harbour,
must make a larger contribution to harbour income. However it is also
part of Whitstable's heritage and an integral part of the town's commercial
activity. How should these competing factors be balanced?
WHW
Values-Based Strategy
The people of Whitstable, via the Council, own the Harbour. How should
the community make decisions about its future direction? Should we just
replace the harbour buildings? How do we attract innovative but appropriate
commercial uses? Can we enhance the successful businesses already in
the harbour? How do we preserve the distinctive and unusual character
of the working harbour?
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