Thanet

This world class Art Gallery is part of a broader redevelopment of the eastern seafront.
SEEDA is providing £4million towards the Turner Contemporary with a total funding package of £17.4million. This project is led by Kent County Council and also supported by a capital grant from the Arts Council of just over £4million.
Major infrastructure works are largely completed, which will facilitate the Turner development which is due to open in the course of 2011. The dual carriageway running past the site has been turned into a single carriageway road, which has released land for public realm works around the new Gallery.
The construction of the new Gallery is well underway. Piling works have been completed and the ground floor slabs are currently being finalised. It is anticipated that the steel structure will be up later this autumn.

SEEDA invested £6m in the former Marks and Spencer site on the High Street in 2006.
SEEDA is facilitating Thanet partners in seeking a beneficial interim use for building, which has been acquired by SEEDA on behalf of Thanet District Council.
Plans for the building originally envisaged a retail led mixed use development, but market conditions are currently unfavourable for this type of use.
SEEDA’s engagement has led to very positive discussions between partners over the possible interim use of the building for a number of years. At the moment the building is used by the Turner Contemporary Art Gallery for exhibition space but this is coming to an end later this month. A further interim use is being explored at present.
In the meantime, partners are considering the planning context for a long-term re-development solution of this site, potentially including a wider mix of occupiers.

SEEDA completed the construction of 35,000 ft² of small business space at the Eurokent site near Broadstairs earlier in 2009, on Thanet District Council’s land. This includes 10,000 sq ft for business space and 25,000 sq ft for light industrial.
This provides quality small to medium size business space, which is otherwise not readily available in the area.
SEEDA’s investment in this development has been £5.7million, which includes £1.3million of European funding between 2005-2006 and 2008-2009.
It is anticipated that 100 plus jobs will be created. The number of spaces for business is yet to be completed, but around 10 units are anticipated.
A number of lettings have been agreed and are with solicitors. Talks are underway with a number of other occupiers.