Southend businessman Philip Miller's plans to buy Margate's biggest theme park may have been scuppered after its owner said there was "no chance" of a deal being done.

Mr Miller, 49, of Poynters Lane, Shoebury, already owns Southend seafront tourist attractions Adventure Island and Sea Life Adventure.

He made an undisclosed offer for Margate theme park Dreamland in June this year, but claimed at the time owner Jimmy Godden was not interested because he seemed to be planning to sell the site to retailers or housing developers.

Mr Miller was more upbeat after Margate's local planning authority, Thanet District Council, ruled during a local plan inquiry that the bulk of the 18-acre site should only be redeveloped for leisure and tourist purposes.

He hoped Mr Godden would reconsider his offer, as the ruling would make it more difficult to sell at a higher price to firms planning to redevelop the site into shops or homes.

But Mr Godden said today: "There is no chance Mr Miller will be buying it. His bid gave no real thought towards the true value of Dreamland."

He said he could not anticipate Mr Miller coming up with an offer he would find acceptable.

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