Options for the future ownership and management of Ryde and Ventnor Harbours will be considered by the Cabinet of the Isle of Wight Council next week (11th March).
The Cabinet will look at alternatives for the 2 harbours – including the possible sale of Ryde Harbour to Ryde Town Council.
The future of the harbours was previously discussed in published delegated papers in 2018 and 2019, with a key objective that they should be operated at nil net cost to the Isle of Wight Council. A marketing exercise for their future was also proposed.
An approach was received from Ryde Town Council in 2019 about taking on the ownership of Ryde Harbour, followed by a full business case. In the past year, discussions have continued with Ryde Town Council about its proposals to purchase the freehold, as well as the leasehold of some adjoining land.
Ryde Harbour was built in 1991 by the former Medina Borough Council and significant future costs are envisaged for dredging works and harbour wall replacement. The 150 berth harbour can handle up to 70 visiting vessels and operates at a net surplus in a typical year of around £2,300.
Ventnor Harbour was built in 1994 and part of the facility is used by a local fish processing company. There are a very small number of visitor moorings within the harbour. Its annual costs include a substantial amount (£87,000) to remove and dispose of seaweed. It has operated at a net cost in a typical year of £58,000.
The report to the council’s Cabinet says if Ryde Harbour is to be sold to Ryde Town Council, then the future operation of Ventnor Harbour could be subject to a separate marketing exercise. There have been a number of expressions of interest from private sector marine operators about Ventnor Harbour, as well as initial interest from Ventnor Town Council.
The full report and options for both harbours can be found via the council’s website.
I propose that we return Ryde Harbour to nature…..
Build a groyne out from harbour wall containing water outlets from Simeon storm water,
Creating propagation for Channel thus keeping an all tide channel harbour more viable, beach will be bigger, protect pier, great for fishing, couple of cafes USA style, maybe a small train ride, boat trips, fishing trips paddle board club, many other possibilities ⛵️♀️
Ryde council, already levy a high amount on council tax for recent purchases. Buying a harbour that needs millions to repair, isn’t what council tax payers need.
Ventnor ‘harbour’ was useless when it first opened, far too small for starters.
So what do you do with a small harbour? Put a shop, fish processing unit, right in the middle.
The main benefactors and users are Cheetah Marine and Blake’s who think the harbour is their own private property, Chetah Marine even get paid (£87k) to remove the seaweed!
The £58k loss comes out of our council tax and should have been tackled long ago.
You’re quite right!!!!
You are 100% right Cheetah Marine and Blake’s who think the harbour is their own. Back handers, keep it all in order.