The former SARO works in Whippingham – which has planning permission for 99 homes, a hotel and business units – has gone on the open market, described as one of the highest-value locations on the Island. It was in 2014 that planning permission was sought for 82 houses, 17 apartments, a 60-bedroom hotel and 14 business units to be built on land off Folly Lane, with permission finally granted for the scheme on the banks of the River Medina in November 2016. Prior to this, the site was earmarked to become a factory for a lavatory parts company. In 2021, Island Echo reported that the company behind the major ‘Folly Reach’ plans, Jersey-based Feria Investments Ltd, intended to start marking out a new road from Beatrice Avenue. By doing so, they kept the planning permission alive by ensuring that work commenced within a 3-year period. Now, some 10 years after the initial planning application was submitted, Bray Fox Smith Living has brought the 35-acre Folly Reach development to market. 
In recent months the brownfield site has been partially cleared and made ready for commencement. Contractors have removed asbestos from the former Saunders Roe buildings. Island Echo understands that initial interest has been shown in the site, which boasts the ability to transport materials from the mainland by boat. Potential water taxi links from a dock to Newport or Cowes have been mentioned too. Offers are being sought for the whole or in separate lots via negotiation, with a price on application. For more information visit https://www.brayfoxsmith.com/property/folly-reach-cowes-isle-of-wight-po32-6nb/ or www.follyreachisleofwight.com. 
FOLLY REACH DEVELOPMENT GOES ON THE MARKET FOR UNDISCLOSED SUM
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Why is this not being seriously considered as a site for a bridge between West and East Cowes?? Surely its needed more that a new hotel!
What a waste of money just to give you 10 minutes more in front of the TV!
We need a bridge across the solent.
I am fed up paying sh*tloads of hard earned cash to visit family in
Pompey just a few miles away.
So the IOW planning strategy states that brownfield sites should be prioritised over greenfield sites – so why is permission being given to build hundreds of houses on greenfield sites when this one is available for purchase? Or is it more profitable for a developer to buy and build on a greenfield site?
The council building quota is based on national targets due to increasing demand for housing in some areas of the mainland. The local council made up their target based on the population size/land area despite the fact we have a shrinking population and no need for more houses. The government has since amended targets to consider islands with special circumstances, such as the Isle of Wight, but the council has not revised their target. Their is no need to build loads of new houses in the island because we are not experiencing population growth. Clearly, the only reason permission is being granted for these new developments is brown envelopes and our utterly corrupt council.
I may be wrong but I think this is designated a brown field site due to its industrial use.
You have misread Debbie Bacon’s comment. She states “why is permission being given to build hundreds of houses on greenfield sites when this one is available for purchase” because it is a brownfield site.
I was not aware there was a planning department on the island,
from what I see, they must have blinkers on.
So many sh*tholes on the island.
Lets get the whole island concreted over, full of houses and get on with it.
After all, what is there left to preserve for future generations?
We will all be flooded and washed away.
The Council has managed to spoil the island in a short space of time.
I don’t think you can blame the council for the dire output of architects. IWC must comply with Planning law, otherwise they just lose money and the case at appeal.
This is marketed as “the most desirable site on the Island”. So look out for 99 afffordable homes – you know, the ones the Island really needs. Each with its own mooring, of course.
And yes, it would be an ideal spot for a bridge, but there is ample room for a bridge just north of the site and it wouild greatly enhance the usefulness of the new homes for working people.
Ghastly looking corporate architecture,ie crap that’s easy to slot together and insults the immediate locale for quick bucks.
And….access?
The only access without getting your feet wet is downgrading faster than the Conservative manifesto!
Unless they get an additional access, a proper access, there is no way in the world that track will stand up.
I expect the developer will be tickled PINK when they get just what they want here.
The public get a vote, but the truth is, like asking a child what they want for lunch, our decision, as with the childs, unless it coincides with what you were going to do anyway, will mean nothing.
So we can fill in forms, vote people in or out, but the destruction will continue, just with more ‘excuses’ and lies given as to ‘why’ such is necessary.
Saro dream machine twenty first century man
i thought it was contaminated land??ohh well not so long ago wight shipyard was trying to buy/develope it for a bigger yard.Funny that ..
It would have been better as a lav. factory, and they carried on at their own convenience.