The developers of derelict Norris Castle in East Cowes have responded to criticism of the plans after the project was dubbed a ‘millionaires’ playground’.
The major planning application would see the Grade I listed castle turned into a 5-star hotel, among other plans.
It was fiercely opposed by East Cowes Town Council (ECTC) last week and has resulted in a 12-page objection.
Responding to the concerns, Clynt Wellington, Norris Castle Estate Group director, questioned some of ‘unqualified statements’ made at the town council meeting – and on social media – and said the application was now becoming a political football.
He said:
“This application is not a political football, a supermarket application or fracking site that can be refused without consequence, but an asset of national historic importance we have been trying to find a solution for, for seven years.
“We cannot proceed commercially, unless we have a viable solution and have been totally transparent throughout, patiently and professionally responding to every request for additional information, no matter how unreasonable.
“We can do no more and have run out of time along with the buildings following 70 years of total neglect in plain sight.”
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Among concerns for East Cowes residents and councillors was the viability of the development, plans for housing and access to the site across the public Esplanade along with the increased traffic that may bring.
Following the meeting, at which the developers Norris Castle Estate Group (NCEG) did not attend nor was a requested statement read out on their behalf, they said they had hoped the application would speak for itself and people would not listen to ‘misinformation’ being spread online.
Mr Wellington said the best consultants in the land had advised the design of every element of the application and if there are any challenges to the application they should be done so through equally qualified experts.
Raising issue with comments about the castle not being in as worse a condition as was thought, Mr Wellington said chartered structural engineers have stated the current ‘patch up and monitor’ repairs being undertaken on the building, requested by the Isle of Wight Council and Historic England, is ineffective and nothing like the long-term solution required.
Mr Wellington said their proposals were the only long-term viable option necessary to safeguard the heritage assets and retain the estate.
Traffic consultants are in talks with Island Roads, Mr Wellington says, to address highways concerns raised.
Addressing the housing issues, Mr Wellington said it is necessary to maximise the real estate values of the properties so fewer can be built, reducing the harm to the listed estate.
A decent five star hotel on the island is badly needed.
One of my associates used to say to me that it was a nightmare booking clients into a half-way decent hotel on the island. They certainly need more that Premier Inn or Travel Lodge, but, even the likes of the Royal at Ventnor have seriously let things slide over recent years. IF we want businesses to come and open on the Island, and I mean MAJOR players, then we badly need this development.
MAJOR players will never come here until there is a fixed link.
Major players don’t need a fixed link…..ever heard of a helicopter or Motor Yacht.
LOL. I live here after moving from London but still work remotely for City and all I can say is, just rent a fancy Airbnb for your clients, get a butler and they are going to be as happy. I assure you lack of hotels is not stoping “MAJOR” players from investing, that’s preposterous.
If the council can’t make money out of you you won’t win. They are all leaching parasites
I would have thought that this is a good thing for East Cowes.
Locals complaining about extra traffic,
Really ?
There is nothing in that town, apart from the constant traffic, queing for the ferries.
“Millionaires play ground” ?
Still good for the local economy, surely.
As long as the General Public are allowed access, to enjoy the new surroundings and it doesn’t become a “gated community”,which it is at present.
Nothing but snooty horse riders, “Geet ov me land !” INNIT tho.
Did you try to walk on Old Rd, especially places with no sidewalk? You are right with ferry traffic, it makes the road unsafe already but obviously more traffic will be even MORE detrimental.
And traffic is going to be routed through an esplanade as well – which already has so many cars it’s hard to enjoy the sea: you breathe in fumes instead of breeze.
Can you really blame locals for not liking it?
East Cowes has lovely Osborne and a golf club. And thanks to no houses there, east of East Cowes has dark sky status. Very friendly to nature, and animals. and lowering the air pollution so all residents can live a healthier life. Not every town needs to “have” some artificial attraction to be valuable, sometimes nature is enough.
Current gated status of castle grounds is choice of owners.
whats a sidewalk? or did you mean pavement?
I’ve never read anything about it elsewhere and still, more cars sound bad to me: pollution, noise, unsafe Old Rd, end to dark sky. East Cowes is a ferry hub as it is. Even MORE traffic on esplanade?! Unless all those people from apartments will be riding a bike? Rather unthinkable in Britain, bikes are for the poor, not cool folk who buy fancy properties! Do you really think the best architects, literally authors of textbooks, like Jan Gehl from Netherlands, would give it a thumbs up? Really? Like, I know investors say BS all the time for news but reaaaaally?
> if there are any challenges to the application they should be done so through equally qualified experts.
I’m sorry. I promise to shut up and never again participate in local democracy then! Professors of architecture lied to me at university how important it is to make sure developments meet needs of local populace. However, I now fully understand that it is only the opinion of qualified experts paid by millionaires that should ever matter. I will keep my mouth shout and promise to curtsy when I see my liege and master pass by.
(I will however never vote for any council members who support this ever again, think that’s fair.)
I really don’t know what the problem is, to have it refurbished and in keeping with original concept would be lovely. Surely better than leaving it to rot. And it will still bring money to the island and jobs . Look how well they’ve done to hut at Colwell its full of life bringing money over . We have to move forward on the island if we are going to survive.
Nobody minds the castle.
But it’s packaged as a bargaining chip with 170 new households so what, say 250 new cars? For a small city that’s already struggling with ferry traffic.
“Nice castle you have over here, shame if my other development got rejected.” – said a developer somehow putting in an application right before there is irreversible damage to said castle if it doesn’t go through.
Lol, Did you just call ” Monkey Town ”
A ” Small City ” ?
We’ll, you’re right, it’s even worse: a small village that’s struggling with ferry traffic. So solution is even more badly needed.
Genuinely interested in participating with all who say it should go no matter what and locals have no sensible objections.
Maybe one thing at a time: Old Road.
Given 200+ new cars that would appear in East Cowes, how would you make the road safer? Context: currently there are several long stretches with no pavements and ferry traffic during the season makes it even less safe.
Would you vote to make it one-way? Close the street for cars, except residents and make it a shared-space with 5-10mph limit? Spend council tax on buying land from nearby houses at market prices to build that missing pavement?
Clynt Wellington is one of the many UK’s “secret” oligarchs.
So 200 car’s, not all going to be on road coming and going at same time. Not much pollution as will be newer and maybe electric etc. 1000s a day from to ferries and East Cowes has survived. Let’s see Castle looking good.
1000s a day from ferries go through Well Rd. If entry to new residences is on esplanade then Old Rd will be closer, though it’s already rather unsafe. So my question stands: how would you make Old Rd safer? It has no pavement in several areas now. Maybe make it one-way so at least half the time residents are forced to go through Well Rd?
And what about esplanade, a place for pedestrians to enjoy the seafront? Go for a walk by the sea to watch out for traffic lights? Pedestrians should have 100% priority there, cars are just guests on esplanades.
Well done island NIMBY,s let the bloody thing fall down
Is there anything that would make you object to this proposal or is bundling castle together with development such a bargain that you’d be happy even if development included nuclear waste?
That really looks like pushing a bad idea for big profits by bundling it with a historical at-risk asset as a pawn.
I fear for the Island, everything changes through time, you cannot stay still, things dont have to be terrible but change is needed unless the Island becomes a centre for the elderly and unemployed, young people will continually leave as there is no future in sight. Be brave dont stganate
Heh, to pop that bubble a little: hello, I’m a Gen Z fellow, self-taught programmer, I work remotely in cybersecurity, and I have moved to IOW recently exactly because it’s so calm and quiet 😀
[ Love the Red Squirrel Trail <3 ]
Wow, a good news story.
Good for you fella.
How do you feel about inbreeding ?
Is it a positive thing ?