The Isle of Wight’s historic county town will be the focus of a wide-reaching ‘Place Plan’ this winter, with local residents, businesses and organisations asked to share their views on what it’s like to live and work in Newport, what it’s like to visit and what makes the town and parish special.
Situated at the heart of the Island and at the head of the Medina estuary, Newport was built at the confluence of 3 rivers over 800 years ago, growing from a thriving harbour and trading port into a successful market town, encompassing a patchwork of historic architecture and heritage assets, streetscapes, parks and natural spaces. It is still regarded as the commercial centre of the Island, a hub for retail and business, home of the Island’s arts centre and host for the Isle of Wight Festival.
Although there are plenty of positives, there are great challenges to be faced in the changing needs of residents and visitors, of business and infrastructure. Scarce resources make new thinking, new collaboration and partnership essential.
Councillor Wayne Whittle, Cabinet member for regeneration and business development, said:
“We’re already working hard on plans to regenerate Newport Harbour, we have £9.5 million of funding for the highways around Newport, we are in ongoing discussions with national partners about the former prison site at Camp Hill as part of the One Public Estate project, and there are plenty of ideas for how we can further enhance Newport that we are looking at.
“As our county town and the largest area for jobs on the Island, getting the future plans for Newport right are critical for the success of our wider regeneration plans for the Island. By working with our partners and the community, we will be using the feedback received from the ‘Wight We Want’ consultation over the summer, together with the Shaping Newport Place Plan, to build on ideas and ambitions that are being discussed. We welcome people’s contributions and look forward to seeing the results of the questionnaire”.
Leon Reader and Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, representing both Newport Business Association and Newport Parish Council explain:
“Welcome to Shaping Newport! The Isle of Wight Council Regeneration team, Newport Business Association and Newport Parish Council, with the help of the consultation team at Arc, would like to gather as many views on Newport and Carisbrooke as possible.
Article continues below this advertisement “By completing a simple questionnaire and leaving your comments, you’ll be adding your voice and your opinions to a better understanding of the County town, the needs and aspirations of the people who live and visit here, and to the creation of better ways for public services, community projects and new investment to collaborate and deliver greater benefit”.
Questionnaires, focus groups and events are being lined up from now until February to give as many people as possible the chance to join in. The findings will feed into the Isle of Wight Council Regeneration team’s ‘The Wight We Want’ programme and help shape ready-to-go projects for the town and parish.
The Shaping Newport project culminates in a presentation of the results and proposals at a public event at the end of February 2018.
How to get involved…
Arc are asking as many people as possible to fill in the questionnaire; there are all sorts of ways to contribute your thoughts:
• Newport’s Christmas Lights Extravaganza on Saturday 2nd December at St Thomas Square from 11:00-19:00
• Quay Arts, Newport on Wednesday 5th December from 18:00-22:00
• Fill in the questionnaire online at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/shapingnewport
• Fill in the booklet questionnaires in town shops and in the library
• Follow the ‘Shaping Newport’ Facebook page for more information
