The luck of East Cowes’s regeneration could be changing as more details are unveiled about the town’s potential future.
The regeneration of East Cowes has been on the cards for nearly 15 years with a range of schemes proposed — few built, though. A ‘masterplan’ was approved in 2007, setting out a vision for the future to deliver houses, retail and employment opportunities as well as a 200-berth marina, but the development soon stalled due to the recession.
Red Funnel also has planning permission to redevelop its land, building a new terminal building, up to 100 residential properties and the potential for a 60-bed hotel but, apart from demolition, has yet to start.
Hong Kong developers also put forward plans to majorly transform the Venture Quay waterfront area and entrance to the Esplanade but withdrew its support in 2018.
However, the Isle of Wight Council has now been successful in securing £5.8million to ‘level up’ the town as part of a government scheme with the public being invited to share their thoughts on how the cash will be spent as the latest ideas are put forward.
2 scenarios are proposed by Savills in a ‘masterplan scoping study’ for the Isle of Wight Council, both allowing for a mix of new homes, including affordable properties and a 50 to 60-bed care home.
The first puts employment, incorporating a hub for marine-based jobs and innovation space in the northern part of the town and proposes visitor facilities around Trinity Wharf and Phoenix Yard, with a mix of employment and hotel space and more food and drink areas.
The second scenario adds training space and hostel accommodation in the northern area with the employment around Trinity Wharf and Phoenix Yard but with some flexibility still to allow for a hotel.
Other public realm improvements for the town and Esplanade are proposed, with the disused toilet block demolished and a new entrance to the Red Funnel marshalling yard.
To view the plans and fill in the online consultation you can visit www.iwightinvest.com/east-cowes/east-cowes-waterfront-consultation-2021/.
Yada, yada, yada, more pie in the sky. They will be telling us next that the floating farce will be running efficiently for more than 24 hours.
2 scenarios are proposed by Savills in a ‘masterplan scoping study’ for the Isle of Wight Council, both allowing for a mix of new homes, including affordable properties and a 50 to 60-bed care home.
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clearly savills are thick as mince – there aren’t enough care workers now, where are they going to get staff for a new home. It also comes as no surprise that they also want to sneak in new houses – perhaps they should discuss how they will reduce the dentist and doctors queue first
There isnt even a puplic toilet anymore the ones on the seafront have been shut nearly 20 years . Now ,the so called east cowes community hub …lol occupies the other site when its finished in 2045……numerous other things need sorting first ..,,actually why are there double yellow lines on the roads in east cowes ? Noone takes any notice of them ,especially outside the chinese on the corner ,,,also there are no road markings on the new redfunnel entrance and cars regularly ignore padestrians crossing there !…
Yes you cram more houses into an allready full town with drainage and parking problems ..and theres the bridge.. lol..lol.lol
Wonder how much it would cost to build a one lane tunnel, with traffic lights… Imagine how much the council could earn, 24/7 ability to get across, could even have a small bus service going back and forth.. no worries about tides, wind, pontoons, chains, etc etc…
I do not know why the council keep wasting money on that farce of a floating bridge..
Little brown envelopes spring to mind. They are too stupid to understand that an underpass is the obvious best option for the very reasons that you have correctly stated.
Never going to happen. -and the funds they have secured to “level up” the town – that will never be spent on the town, too many other projects on the go where there are “interested parties”, if you know what I mean wink wink
I keep hearing the phrase ‘ Affordable Housing ‘ Could someone enlighten me, how much does one of these cost ?? Can I get a mortgage on a zero hour contract.. , can people on very low wages afford one.. if not then these will not be for Island people…
Like Santa Clause affordable housing is a myth. Only people who have loadsa money or a very highly paid job can afford a house. The average Joe will never be able to afford one.