The Island’s MP has welcomed the proposals put forward by the Isle of Wight Conservatives to rejuvenate the Island’s County Town, which could include demolishing County Hall to make way for housing.
As reported by Island Echo on Friday, the Conservatives have drawn up provisional plans to demolish County Hall, the Police Station and the Fire Station to make way for housing, with a focus on also reducing the size of Newport’s town areas so it is more compact – in response to the increased decline of the High Street due to COVID-19.
Speaking in response to Councillor Dave Stewart’s announcement that a future Conservative administration would work with public sector partners to establish a ‘Newport Riverside Quarter’, Bob Seely MP has said:
“This is a welcome and important development, and one that has my support and input.
“This idea has several aims. First, it regenerates Newport town centre, whose shops have been hit badly by the Covid pandemic. Second, by focusing house-building in Newport – and, in time, other town centres – we can create homes that are prioritised for Islanders. Third, by building in town, we take the pressure off greenfield sites. I want the Council to all-but ban greenfield development, which is bad for the Island and Islanders – but to do so we need to make sure regeneration takes place in towns.
“This excellent plan to rejuvenate Newport is part of an overall vision for the Island. I will be working with the Council to make the case to Westminster and Whitehall for the Island being awarded monies from the Levelling Up Fund. We will be putting in a major bid for this fund. At its heart will be our ambitious plans for the Island; to regenerate Newport (with other towns), diversify our economy, and to protect our landscape and countryside for our quality of life and to enhance our visitor offer.
“I hear that other political parties have rushed to criticise. I would urge them to read the announcement in full to understand the holistic and ambitious nature of the vision. It is a waste of everyone’s time to criticise but then offer nothing.
“The reality is this: the pandemic has had a significant impact on our high streets. The loss of some shops is obvious. The Council must take a pro-active approach to ensure that our retail and hospitality offer in our town centres is strengthened by being easily accessible to more residents living locally and welcoming to all visitors.
Article continues below this advertisement “Through these proposals, there is the potential not only to preserve the proud heritage of our County Town, but also enhance it. The proposed use of The Guildhall as a new civic centre will ensure that this Grade II* listed building is fully utilised for public benefit in the way it was originally intended. This will sit alongside other cultural assets such as the Quay Arts Centre and Apollo Theatre in the Quarter, as well as the many historic buildings in Newport town centre which will be preserved – and the new development proposals must complement these.
“That’s our vision, and that’s why I believe that it is absolutely in the Island’s interests to deliver a strong Conservative Team to County Hall so that we can continue working together for the good of our community.”
He probably has a mate lined up to over charge for it.
so, where will the police station be and they plan to use the guildhall as a civic centre.
all just to slip in some more benefit hutches right next to the roundabout and dual carriageway – which will be noisy as hell to live in.
the only way to regenerate the town centre is by having investors and entrepreneurs open up businesses and unless the greedy council cut the business rates to zero and the greedy landlords reduce the rents, it will never attract anyone willing to risk their time and effort on a high street business, just to line the pockets of the council
Yea vibrant businesses in a town centre is paramount for its success, not some extra housing on the edge of town.
I hate the word QUARTER , makes it sound like a deprived area. You cant blame the pandemic on its own for Newport’s Demise, i think that was the last straw. What about the extortionate rent the landlords charge. Estate agents must shoulder some of the blame here, they often advise the rents to be charged, and trouserd lots of cash for doing so . The council must must reduce council tax, to zero if needed. This will help businesses to compete with on line shopping.
Come on Isle Of Wight council. Extra housing aint goner do it
Of course it would it’s from other torys
Correction to third line first paragraph. —- make way for ‘unnecessary’ housing.
Remember folks this is all posturing pre election to get your votes. Its a sham, wont happen……
‘Newport Riverside Quarter’
Hmmm, I can already smell the cannabis
On the plus side, short walk to the dole office for them
Lets just hope these people dont get back in next month or we will all be very skint and packed in like tins of sardines
Forgot to mention. The Isle Of Wight council always seems to give the thumbs up to out of town stores. And coupled with the parking charges in town. This has sucked the life out of Newport. More houses, my God never thought of that as a solution to help the town centre. These people are scary.
Can we keep the idiots in county hall when it gets knocked down. I’ll run a raffle, first prize is to push the destruct button.