Thanet District Council transfer ownership of Southwood stadium to Ramsgate FC

A community football club have been handed the keys to their council-owned stadium, paving the way for plans to open an enterprise and education centre at the site.

Thanet District Council agreed to sell the freehold of the WW Martin Community Stadium, Southwood to Ramsgate FC for £265,000.

The decision to transfer the ownership was made at a cabinet meeting on Thursday, September 22.

A club spokesman described it as "a huge stride towards [the club's] ultimate ambition of building a new stand that can become a mixed enterprise and education centre," to help reduce local unemployment.

The club have been long-term tenants of the stadium for more than 70 years, but the meeting was told the rent they paid was not a major source of revenue for the council.

Shadow council leader Cllr Rick Everitt (Lab) said: “I support this proposal to transfer the freehold, I think it’s the right thing to do. Clearly the rent is derisory.”

But he raised concerns the club could apply to change the use of the Price's Avenue stadium, as its location in a residential area isn't ideal for a football club.

He suggested a restriction on the transfer terms which would bar the club from being able to apply for a change of use for the premises for five years.

The amendment was accepted, but the meeting heard the transfer of the freehold is already conditional on the site’s continuing use for football and associated activities.

The transfer also includes a 50% overage provision, meaning if the premises are sold at any point in future for a different use, the council will receive 50% of any increase in its value.

Cllr Reece Pugh, (Con), cabinet member for economic development, said of the overage provision and restriction on use: "Both of those