The Society's sub committee has been active throughout 2008 taking up issues of concern to members and people in Deal. Throughout the summer we focussed on the future of the Astor Theatre insisting that it had to be professionally run and that the building was conserved for the future. We were delighted in the early autumn when Deal Town Council agreed to hand the management responsibility to the Deal Arts Management Group. We look forward to the reopening of the theatre in 2009.

We continued to be concerned about the future of Minters Yard in Middle Deal. The issue of this overlarge and invasive commercial development had been referred to the National Planning Inspectorate. The Inspector published a somewhat unimpressive report in October but has made a condition that a Traffic Management Plan be devised for the Middle Deal area. We are lobbying the District Council Planning Committee to debate that Plan,when it finally emerges,openly and with public scrutiny.

Early in 2009 we will be engaged in the second consultation about the Local Development Framework. This sets the overall context for planning decisions in the next 20 years. It will influence the future of Deal so we need to be alert to it. In May 2009 the Society will be holding a meeting entitled 'Towards 2029:What future for Deal?'

We continue to monitor all planning decisions that affect Deal and Walmer. John Goodban keeps a watching brief on Walmer Parish Council and I am co-opted on to the Deal Town Planning Committee. If there are any planning issues that you feel the Deal Society should engage with please contact John or myself.