New plaque unveiled at Dalby Square, Cliftonville

Today, as part of Dalby Square Day – hosted by local community group A Better Cliftonville – Chairman of Thanet District Council, Cllr Jason Savage, unveiled a new plaque to honour the Dalby Square Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI).

Please see below a quote from Cllr Savage and some background on the scheme. As the picture shows, the plaque has been attached to the historic red telephone box which was acquired and restored by local volunteers.

Cllr Jason Savage, Chairman of Thanet District Council said:

“It was an honour to unveil a new Dalby Square plaque marking the Townscape Heritage Initiative.. The plaque celebrates the rich and varied pedigree of Dalby Square and its gardens and is a way of thanking the many volunteers who have put in so much hard work supporting this scheme and promoting community involvement and pride in their local area.

“The THI, which commenced in 2013, has been a huge success bringing £2.5m of public funding to the area, seen 22 properties renovated; 3 empty buildings brought back into use; heritage lighting installed and a multi-generational house retrofitted to sustain climate change.”

The Dalby Square THI is a £2.5 million scheme which began in January 2013 expressly for the benefit of residents, the wider local community and visitors to the area. It runs until September 2019. Having been identified (along with adjacent streets) as suffering of social deprivation, the THI aimed to preserve the unique heritage of Dalby Square in the historic heart of Cliftonville West. With funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Thanet District Council, property owners were able to repair and upgrade their properties to conservation standard. Under the THI, the communal gardens were further restored with re-planting, the installation of railings, the addition of residential waste enclosures and the reinstatement of a garden at the sea end  for both local residents and the wider community to enjoy.

Some key successes include:

• 22 properties renovated
• 3 empty buildings brought back into use (12 Arthur Road, 12A and 30 Dalby Square)
• A house retrofitted to adapt to climate change and sustain multi-generational living
• Whole square is now reinstated to a garden
• Heritage Lighting installed
• Residential waste enclosures
• Community Activities
• Raising the profile of Dalby Square

You are able to keep up to date with our articles, news and publications by following us on our social media channels below: