Diggerland faces uncertain future

[4me2]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=629 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Diggerland faces uncertain future

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=416><!-- S BO --><!-- S IIMA --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD> Diggers and snow boarding are two of the theme park's attractions

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- E IIMA --><!-- S SF -->The future of a Medway tourist attraction has been thrown into doubt after councillors refused to grant retrospective planning permission.
Diggerland, which is based in Strood, had put in two retrospective applications for a snow park and digger theme park on a former landfill site.
At a meeting on Wednesday night, Medway councillors refused the application for the construction of the theme park.
The application for the snow park was deferred pending a site visit. <!-- E SF -->
Following the decision, Diggerland said it was hoping to negotiate a solution with the council.
Visual impact
Chairman, Hugh Edeleanu, said it still had its original approval for operating on the site.
"The actual activity is secure, there's no doubt about that," he said.
He told BBC Radio Kent the council was concerned about the actual buildings on the site, with visual impact and environmental factors among the issues raised.
However, Mr Edeleanu explained that Diggerland had originally proposed and agreed buildings on the site before they were constructed.
He said Medway Council had been supplied with all the details but had neither disagreed or agreed to them. He said Diggerland now planned to discuss a number of options with councillors as a way of keeping the theme park open.<!-- E BO -->

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/5082240.stm

[Speshal]

A diggerland? Christ I'd like to see a JCB give Mickey Mouse a run for his money.

[urbsy]

Diggerland set for Castleford site

18 October 2004

Exciting plans have been unveiled for a new Diggerland Country Park to be developed on a former colliery site

After initial discussions with local agencies, Diggerland Ltd have announced proposals to develop their fourth UK country park on the site of a former colliery in the Castleford area. The park will provide high quality environmental, leisure, educational and employment opportunities for the District.

Diggerland is a leading player in both the leisure industry and the redevelopment and enhancement of brown field sites for leisure. Diggerland gives children as young as five the opportunity of riding on and driving real JCBs! Following the success of the pilot site in Strood, Kent in 2000, Diggerland opened two further parks in Durham and Devon in 2001.

Diggerland will consult the local community in the design and park planning stage, to build a relationship for the long term benefit of both the community and Diggerland. A Diggerland Membership scheme is envisaged for local families, as well as discounts for local schools. Local consultation meetings are planned at venues to be announced.

Diggerland aim to be a major part of the Castleford community, creating environmental, educational, leisure and employment opportunities together. For further information take a look at their website - www.diggerland.com

Hopefully were getting one though!

urbsy

[Donny Doyle]

Took my wee boy to both, Durham and Kent. There both a waste of money. However would obviously be sorry to see people lose their jobs.

[Fusen]

I used to live like 2 miles from the Durham one, never actually went though even though my family kept offering ;P