Questions are being raised over why long-standing problems at Bouldnor Viewpoint near Yarmouth were not tackled while contractors were working immediately alongside the site as part of the King Charles III England Coast Path project.
Shalfleet Parish Councillor Jonathan Hill is demanding answers from the Isle of Wight Council after contractors spent several weeks working near the viewpoint before leaving without carrying out the restoration work that many residents had hoped to see.
The popular stopping point, once known for its panoramic views across the Solent, has become increasingly overgrown, with vegetation now obscuring much of the outlook.
Residents have also raised concerns about overflowing litter bins, rats, Japanese knotweed and reports of parts of the site being used as an informal public lavatory.
Cllr Hill, who has been raising concerns about the viewpoint since January 2026, believes the recent coast path works presented an ideal opportunity to address the problems while machinery, contractors and access arrangements were already in place.
However, with the contractors now gone, residents say the longstanding issues remain unresolved.
Cllr Hill has said:
“Residents had every reason to expect that the coast path works would provide an opportunity to improve the viewpoint.
“Instead, the contractors have left and nothing appears to have changed.”
The viewpoint occupies a prominent position on one of the main routes from Yarmouth and has traditionally offered visitors arriving on the Isle of Wight by ferry an opportunity to stop and enjoy views across the Solent.
However, residents are questioning whether the site can still reasonably be promoted as a viewpoint and picnic area when much of the view is obscured and maintenance concerns persist.
For well over a year, people living nearby have contacted Shalfleet Parish Council about the deteriorating condition of the area.
Among the concerns are rats reportedly feeding around litter bins without lids, unmanaged vegetation and the presence of Japanese knotweed.
There have also been reports that parts of the overgrown site are being used as a public toilet.
One resident has described the situation as “beyond the pale”, questioning why the problems were not addressed while work was taking place immediately beside the viewpoint.
Cllr Hill has repeatedly raised the matter with ward councillor Debbie Conlin since her election and has written to Isle of Wight Council officers seeking an explanation.
He has also criticised the lack of response to his latest correspondence.
Cllr Hill has said:
“I wrote on 9th October and have not even received the courtesy of a reply.
“Residents are entitled to expect better.”
The parish councillor fears that failing to undertake improvements alongside the coast path project could result in unnecessary additional expenditure if separate contractors have to be brought in at a later date.
He is now calling for the restoration of the viewpoint, action to tackle Japanese knotweed and rats, the installation of suitable lidded litter bins and wider improvements to the site.
Cllr Hill has added:
“This is not simply about restoring a view.
“For more than a year, residents have raised concerns about overgrowth, rats, Japanese knotweed and parts of the site being used as a public lavatory.
“The contractors were on site for weeks, yet those concerns remain unaddressed.
“Bouldnor Viewpoint is promoted as a viewpoint and picnic area. If there is no view and the site is suffering from these longstanding problems, residents are entitled to ask when action will finally be taken.
“What local people now want is a clear plan and a timetable for restoring and properly maintaining the site.”
Cllr Hill is seeking a public statement from the Isle of Wight Council explaining why the improvements were not carried out during the coast path works and setting out when residents can expect action to be taken.
