Skate park, cafe, homes and new pitches revealed in Ramsgate’s Jackey Bakers overhaul
Published: 16:49, 30 November 2023
Fresh proposals to overhaul a beleaguered recreation ground with state-of-the-art facilities have been unveiled for the first time.
But plans to build a skate park, clubhouse, cafe and new pitches at graffiti-hit Jackey Bakers in Ramsgate come with a caveat.
Thanet District Council’s blueprints this week show the ambitious scheme will also include a 27-home estate situated on the park’s east side.
Asbestos and graffiti were found inside and on the walls of the ground’s changing facilities recently, catapulting the once-loved 45-acre playing fields into the public spotlight.
Campaigners launched a fightback calling for the council to clear the place up in a petition which, at the time of writing, has 1,578 signatures.
Now, the authority has unveiled a draft masterplan laying down its vision to create a “long-term primary sports venue for Thanet” at the field in the form of a new pavilion and facilities.
Planning chiefs are urged to approve the proposals and kickstart the next steps in getting the playing ground up to scratch.
The project will be discussed at an Overview and Scrutiny Panel, at a meeting on Wednesday 6 December.
Documents lodged on behalf of the council state: “Jackey Bakers has two changing pavilions in a state of disrepair along with a poorly maintained artificial sports pitch and a vacant parcel of land.
“The sports ground will be promoted as the long-term primary sports venue for Thanet. “Proposals which will provide a 3G pitch and improve the facilities for football, rugby, hockey and other sports will be supported.”
A new clubhouse will be added with improved changing rooms and social spaces.
The current asbestos-ridden pavilion will be demolished to make way for the new buildings at the cost of £250,000.
Urban sports such as skateboarding and BMX will be catered for.
Thanet council officials added: “It will promote the use of the safe space thus removing antisocial behaviour from inner town dwellings.”
While users wait for the new facilities to materialise, they will provided with temporary alternatives.
Thanet District Council hopes to “attract a wide variation of social activity to the site”.
To facilitate this, a variety of different pitches are planned, including cricket, hockey, football and rugby.
One netball and four tennis courts are also included in the revamp.
Also part of the overhaul is a 27-home estate at the perimeter of the field.
All the houses will have three bedrooms and “smart technology” to make them more energy efficient.
Documents say: “The overall objective aim is to encourage resident interaction and to create a vibrant residential community.”
It comes after resident June Tyrell started a campaign in May to improve the facilities at Jackey Bakers.
Vandalism and a lack of investment and maintenance from the council had turned the much-loved centre into an “eyesore”.
The petition amassed 608 signatures in its first week.
Jackey Bakers was gifted to the people of the town by the first female mayor in 1924.
More by this author
Millie Bowles