Tough measures have been taken to secure the future of the Dreamland fun park project, which is widely regarded as essential to the regeneration of Margate.

Thanet council cabinet has invoked compulsory purchase proceedings against landowners Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company.

Council chief executive Richard Samuel said: "We are determined to continue the regeneration of Margate, which has already seen an enormous boost with the opening of Turner Contemporary, with the project to open a world first at Dreamland.

"Because of the importance of this site to the town’s future, we need to take action to ensure that the heritage amusement park goes ahead.

"Huge amounts of money have already been invested to bring this project to fruition and we can wait no longer for agreement from the landowners.

"This is not something we wanted to do, but the failure of the owners to reach a sensible agreement has left us with no choice but to take compulsory purchase action."

The council says it agreed in May last year that it would start compulsory purchase proceedings on the site, if terms were not agreed for the transfer of the freehold of the cinema building and land.

At the time, this had been agreed in principle by the landowners. The land would then be given by the council to the Dreamland Trust on a long lease for a peppercorn rent.

Since then, the council has held detailed negotiations with the landowners, but it has not been possible to agree an acceptable position to the council.

Nick Laister, chair of the Dreamland Trust, said: "The Dreamland Trust is delighted that Thanet council has shown its strong commitment to the Dreamland Margate project and is proceeding with the compulsory purchase of the Dreamland amusement park site."

The new Dreamland will be the world’s first amusement park of thrilling historic rides with classic sideshows, vintage cafes, restaurants, special events and gardens.