Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely has formally written to Downing Street to back the East Cowes Levelling Up bid.
Mr Seely believes the Island could be a test case for the Government’s Levelling Up agenda, which seeks to share wealth and prosperity across UK regions.
In his letter, he repeats support for the marine hub in East Cowes – but said the Island itself represented the ideal community to go further.
“Levelling Up should be about planning for the next 25 years, working to develop a coherent plan that encompasses regeneration of town centres for housing, jobs and higher and technical education; the development of niche skills in high-tech industry; enhancing our environment through greater landscape protection and housing in sensible numbers that prioritise Islanders.
“I am very keen to see development prioritised within the Island’s towns and villages, starting with the regeneration of Newport’s town centre and harbour. Such an approach could attract families and young people back to town centres while providing space for employment and education facilities as well as options for active travel.”
Mr Seely also called on the Government to help the Island to address its challenges in healthcare and education, such as access to dental and GP services, and bringing the number of Islanders over 18 entering higher education closer to the national average.
In addition, the Government is asked to look at connectivity to and from the Island and how ferry services can be more reliable, along with a focus on the additional costs Islanders and farmers must bear for goods and services.
Mr Seely further requested recognition of the Island’s unique landscape when it comes to planning and house building. He has asked for lower housing targets, support to drive regeneration in towns, and greater environmental protections that recognise the Island’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status.
Bob said:
“I want a plan for the Island that increases prosperity here. I want to see a better future for our young people where they can access higher education, housing and jobs here and I want to protect our unique and precious environment for future generations to enjoy.”
Good luck with that Bob
Why only Cowes? How about some of the poorer areas “levelling up” like Ventnor, Sandown, even Newport, with all it’s rundown shops, oh hang on Cowes of course, all those Yachtys…….. .
Where does it say only Cowes?
Oh sorry, it says “West Cowes” but it does says Cowes, sorry I forgot the West part.
Oh no, not more hot air from Bob, I wish that he’d scuttle off back to Broxtowe, we need an MP of the stature of Steve Ross to represent the island instead!
More noise and hot air but what does our MP. ever achieved, he will go down in history as “Not a lot Bob”.
I often hear him on Radio four talking about anything except the Island.
And LBC radio … sigh .. doesn’t he realise that “Levelling Up” is all about connectivity and infrastructure.
Why does Bob always look like he’s just got out of bed?
Because he might have
Just copying his leader
Levelling up? More like levelling down from how the Island is now compared to how it used to be, All that’s happened in the last fifty years or so is that the whole country has been brought down to a certain level. Stink of cannabis nearly everywhere you go, deadbeats littering up the towns, thugs yobs abound and happy to be like it, it’s got so horrible now. As for finding a good old fashioned traditional tearoom anywhere now, long gone.
Clearly Bob did not get the MEMO, the idea for the slogan “levelling up” is about defunding the South in favour of the North, but with no intention to increase spending in the North. They can then show the percentage spent in different regions was greater in the North but in fact all areas will have less Government support.