Planning permission for the redevelopment of the former Harcourt Sands holiday park on the outskirts of Ryde has been applied for by the company Zero C Holdings Ltd, with plans in place for up to 128 new homes plus a brand new 63-bed seaside hotel.
A total of 20 two-bed, 51 three-bed and 57 four-bed homes would be built if planning permission is granted for the now derelict site, with the addition of 3 acres of land gifted for the future development of a 63-bed 4* hotel with views overlooking the Solent with gym, leisure, conference and restaurant facilities.
It follows over two years of consultation with local residents and planning officers which has included visits to the site and the display of a masterplan. Following feedback received, the number of housing units has been decreased whilst the size of the hotel has been increased with some changes in the proposed layout.
Harcourt Sands, owned by Renowned, closed back in 2006 resulting in over 11 hectares of land becoming an unused eyesore with the loss of 167 jobs. In 2007 vandals targeted the abandoned buildings resulting in a massive blaze that destroyed the holiday park’s entertainment complex. The site has not been occupied since.
As well as transforming the run-down area to provide new housing for the Isle of Wight, the development would also see 42 new parking spaces created for nearby Puckpool Park and improvements made to bus facilities in the area. There would also be access to the beach and a green buffer between the seafront and the start of the housing development.
Land on the opposite side of Puckpool Hill, formally used as a pitch and putt course, will not be developed.
Members of the public have until 3rd October 2014 to comment on the proposals and to submit any objections. A full-size copy of the plans can be found here.
