The National Trust has announced plans to improve the visitor facilities at Compton Bay car park, as part of a wider investment in the Compton landscape.
The rather run-down-looking car park, which is an incredibly popular tourist hotspot, will be given a makeover in 2023 which will include making the site more environmentally friendly, whilst updating the area to meet the needs of visitors.
Working with Island-based designers, the plan is to change the car park layout, making it more accessible and safer. The Trust will use natural materials to help mark out car parking spaces and will improve entry and exit to the site, including improvements to visibility along Military Road.
The plans include replacing the crumbling tarmac area with a new green space, so that people can use it to enjoy cliff-top views, and safely access the food and beverage areas, without the worry of moving traffic.
As part of the investment, the car park will have an improved entry point and a mini roundabout will be created within the site to help with traffic flow.
As well as changes to the layout, the charity also plans to improve visitor facilities with a brand-new toilet block. This has been carefully designed in a modular fashion, allowing it to be relocated if and when cliff erosion requires it. Inside there will be 3 unisex cubicles, a larger accessible WC, including baby change facilities, and a ‘Changing Places’ cubicle which has the highest standards of accessibility for those who need it.
Senior Programme Manager, Ben Savill, has said:
“We hope the improved facilities will encourage visitors to not only enjoy the beauty of Compton Bay beach but also to explore the wildlife-rich Compton Downs area and to discover the work we are doing here to improve the land for nature.”
The improvements are planned to take place throughout next year, although this is dependent on planning approval. The works will be carried out with as little disruption to visitors as possible. The plan is to work in a phased manner to ensure the car park remains open throughout for everyone to access and enjoy, with full closure only required for a brief period to improve site access.
Anyone who would like to share any thoughts on the project, either as a community group or individual, can email [email protected].
Yea be quick about it before the council allows houses to be built there
People bequeathed land to the NT to preserve it NOT to develop it.
As others rightly say on here LEAVE the unspoiled, unspoiled.
If you want tacky facilities sit with the masses at Sandown, Ryde etc
A dangerous thin end of a could be larger wedge when guardians of property dictate its fate without public consultation.
We already have that with our unpopular Council.
IF the NT wants future bequeathed estates they best act very carefully
All bloody pointless given their stance on under pinning military road? Wtf!
Looks like a good idea. Pity they’re so opposed to re-routing the road.
Would be wise to allow the Council a few hundred metres of land to bulldoze away to make the Military road wider where it is near the cliff edge to allow locals and visitors to continue to use this wonderful road in it’s entirety.
For a few chalk plants lost, the gain to people, who fund the NT would more than compensate.
Likely the vandals will destroy all before the sea take it away.
Don’t mess with Compton, no urbanisation required. NT are just trying to get revenue from parking. It’s not a beach resort it’s the Islander’s natural beach.
Ah, The National Trust giving their ‘Island based’, but mainland born, designers an opportunity to claim some kind of charity grant and build God knows what…. Spread the cash among pals because the holibobbers who stay in the buildings they own complain that their wild swimming experience ( in the back of the Wight) is a little too primitive. Money, money, money. Sod the natural coastline and those of us who like it rugged.
Agree, they have ruined Blackgang chine,
Don’t let them do the same to Comton,lol.
I am in the minority but i think it looks great.
Well done NT.
About time this was developed just hope National Trust don’t overprice everything to deter visitors and holiday makers visiting. The entry to the beach could do with some improvements also.
Such a shame that every wild space has to be ‘prettied up’ and made easier to access. I visit many times a year to have a wonderful long wild walk on Compton and the lack of facilities is a plus point!
Obviously you have not had the pleasure of visiting Sandown recently.
This area should be left alone and unspoiled as it is and let nature take its course, this is just a money spinner for the National Trust, More cars parked on the Highway causing more danger for the Summer.
I wonder how long the toilets will survive before some scum trash them.
Don’t worry, unless the National Trust does some coastal protection work along the coast there, this building will be in the sea soon.
Leave it as nature intended
The National Trust is fast becoming a commercial organization.
All the National Trust are interested in is making money, they have destroyed Newtown and they are now going to do the same here. Leave it alone, unspoiled and natural.
What about the old people and disabled and the blind and the mental FGS ?
Not everybody can get on a surf board.