PARTIAL DEMOLITION OF SANDOWN TOWN HALL ON THE CARDS AS PART OF REGENERATION PLANS

Parts of an Isle of Wight town hall are set to be demolished as major regeneration plans move forward. Sandown Town Hall, on Grafton Street, has been empty for more than 5 years but is undergoing work to turn it into a youth centre, community hall and flats. A pair of semi-detached houses will be built at the back of the hall but to do so part of the hall and rear outbuildings will be demolished. The Grade II listed hall dates back to 1869 but the parts that will be demolished are later extensions to the building, including the addition to the rear of the former fire station. The Isle of Wight Council, which is behind the regeneration plans, is now seeking the final permission to start the demolition works. The authority was given £3.1million from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to restore and renovate the town hall into a new youth community programme. Facilities may include a pool table, computer station and outside area with space that can be used for education, training, sport and community events. The new programme is expected to serve more than 200 young people a week. The town hall was last used in 2017 by Central Eltham youth project. Significant work is ongoing to save the building and preserve the historical merits of the hall. Last year, the Isle of Wight Council hired a pest control company to remove the ‘extensive’ pigeon infestation in the hall and mess made from the birds.