The Isle of Wight Council has approved plans for a brand new ice rink and leisure centre to be built on the outskirts of Ryde, despite a recommendation to refuse planning permission.
A meeting of the planning committee was held at County Hall last night (Tuesday) during which the exciting new project was given the green light. Councillors were told by council officers that the plans should be refused, but 6 councillors decided to go against that recommendation and voted in favour of the scheme. 1 councillor decided against the new facility, 3 abstained.
The Smallbrook Ice & Leisure Centre will be a major, all-year-round attraction that will improve the health and wellbeing facilities available to the local community. The centre will provide a full-size ice rink for recreational, figure skating and ice hockey, 2 multi-sports courts for netball, volleyball, basketball, badminton or croquet as well as the 3 dedicated tennis courts
A planning application was first submitted to the local authority in June of this year. Now, 6 months later, things are set to move forward. However, the project is subject to funding.
Sport England has, however, objected to the plan due to the ‘significant loss’ of a playing field.
Nichola Roe from Ryde Arena Community Action Group said
“We are absolutely delighted to share the news that common sense and good-will, on the part of our Council’s Planning Committee, saw the Smallbrook Ice and Leisure Centre application granted planning permission this evening (with conditions).
“We hope that a combined effort between the sporting & wider community and Isle of Wight Council will not only return ice skating, but establish the Islands first indoor tennis and netball courts, available for community and Club use all year round!
Article continues below this advertisement “Massive congratulations to all those involved!”
Although planning permission has been granted on a local level, the final say now goes to London.
An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said:
“The local planning authority is required by law to consult with the Secretary of State prior to issuing the decision of the planning committee.
“Legislation states that, where a development would result in the loss of a playing field, and where Sport England has objected to the scheme, the Secretary of State must be consulted.”
A positive start for the new year
Fantastic x
Any investment in the Isle of Wight has to be good news
Another decision to benefit the few at the expense of the many. Didn’t make enough money to pay for itself before, why should it now.
Definitely a Corbyn supporter then
All very well and good, but it does beg the question as to how many more greenfield developments Smallbrook can take without passing flooding problems further down the line, not to say a load more traffic tailbacks?
It will be good to take my daughter ice skating for the first time.
Brilliant news. Thanks to all who made this happen. Good luck with the funding.
Excellent.
Sports facilities like this for all ages are a fantastic boost for physical and health wellbeing. Why on earth would anyone object to this?
Saves me taking the ferry, absolute bonus that is mate!
More ruination of the countryside for minority interest sports.
Lets hope our council tax doesn’t end up paying for it, or bailing it out, when it inevitably goes broke.
Likely more in ‘some ones’ Christmas card than the usual greeting imo.
My Grandson says word is out that it will be given permission BUT it wont ever be built as a sports complex but another Supermarket.
He says his mates friend is something to do with the PennyFeathers lot and the large building in Ryde will need a Supermarket. As it will be built in a similar style to such, very easy to alter, once all paid for, built and gone broke.
So Waitrose can ride in, like the hero saving the then defunct building from vandals. Very cosy arrangement he says.
Have to wait and see I suppose, mind me and bert likely won’t be around to see it, by the youngsters will
Well lets see if seldom seen Bob gives it his backing,
Is this a full size rink in terms of Ice Pad size, or full size in terms of figure skating size?
great news our children have somewhere to go to keep fit
I will look forward to the opening of this new ice rink. I miss going to watch the hockey matches. I just hope they will supply a bus route.
It’s called the number 2/3/8/9 love, stops by the Esplanade
I love the idea but it will flop and go into the usual administration owing other people money. Also it has a carbon footprint the size of a block of flats.
As we are supposed to be green and cut back on our use of cars, how does the councilexpect users to get to this stadium which is right off normal bus routes?
What a huge waste islanders money they could fix some of the roads
All ‘very fine’ people wanting one to ‘take their children to’ , yet any minority, costly to run, fringe hobbyist ‘sport’ could ‘want’ a variety of such building to ‘indulge’ their offspring’s wishes…… for five minutes, till their child is bored, and back in the bedroom on the phone again.
The fee charged for a handful of regulars, and a flood of new people, but only for the first couple of months, will NEVER pay it’s way, so the ‘supermarket’ comment could, eventually become more likely.
Mind, that same rumour went around the Cinema at Newport, so all supposition at the moment.
Buy your children roller skates, better for the environment and better for the council tax payers WHEN this ‘ice white Elephant’ has to be bailed out…. Again.
Nothing smooth enough on the island to rollerskate on unfortunately