Grand plans to restore landmark Norris Castle in East Cowes have been revealed as the owners of the Grade I and II listed buildings set out plans for the site, as well as next-door’s Springfield Estate.
It is envisaged the Grade I listed castle, which Queen Victoria used to visit as a child, will be restored and converted into a luxury hotel with 2 linked buildings built, to provide a swimming pool, additional hotel rooms as well as services and amenities.
The nearby Grade I Norris Castle Farm, bailiff’s house, cottage and walled kitchen garden would be converted into a spa and wellness centre providing treatment rooms, spa residences, a restaurant and a cafe.
It is being proposed homes will be built outside of the estate boundary on the southwest field as well as an access road through the Springhill Estate to provide a new entrance.
On the Grade II listed seawall, which would be repaired and restored to stabilise the land, 4 seafront buildings will be constructed for resort apartments. Along the waterfront more resort residences, a boathouse and slipway are proposed.
The Grade II pumphouse will be restored and converted into a clubhouse and the Grade II bathing house ruin will be restored into a restaurant.
The 4 Grade II stone watering ponds will be restored, as well as the Grade I park and garden to preserve the grotto.
The Grade II cattle shelters would provide a resort residence, gatehouse and security building.
An outline application will also be submitted for a 55-unit senior living scheme, with associated communal facilities across parts of the Springhill Estate and farm, retaining and converting existing buildings.
Ideas for the site have taken a while to come forward with no official planning application yet submitted to the Isle of Wight Council, although the Norris Castle Estate Group hinted it could be sometime this month.
Multiple consultations were undertaken by the developers while the plans were drawn up, which the Group hope will be ‘reflected’.
I still don’t get (from the comments on their old website) which roads will be used to access the building site while it’s being constructed.
Millfield avenue is the only option….Hope they did a badger survey…
The one end starting at often-jammed due to ferry problems Old Rd. has no lights (it’s seriously pitch dark since autumn) plus school and preschool, and is 1-car wide. The other end starting at Newbarn Rd. seems to be wider but with on the street parking it’s barely better.
Do they intend to use it as a route for guests as well? That’s gonna be some serious congestion, right in the woods that should be protected 🙁
Also, it does look like quite a lot of green space loss 🙁 Fingers crossed that building are spread out thin.
Hotel – Yes Spa-Yes More bloody houses – NO.