The Isle of Wight Council is no longer looking to pursue the development of a dinosaur-themed visitor attraction in Sandown, which will come as a major blow for the seaside town.
As previously reported by Island Echo, the former Conservative leader of the Council, Dave Stewart, said back in March that the regeneration of Dinosaur Isle on Culver Parade was a ‘Disneyland opportunity’, with more than £33million expected to be invested.
It was in July of this year that Island Echo reported about a local consortium’s plans to make Sandown the centre of palaeontology research, as well as a major tourist attraction.
However, the idea is now dead in the water as far as Sandown is concerned as the new administration at County Hall has announced it will no longer pursue the development at Dinosaur Isle and the adjoining Browns golf course land.
Cabinet members will meet next Thursday to decide on a way forward for the area, as it is recommended they seek to secure an effective and sustainable long term solution to the future of the dinosaur museum either at the current or any alternative site. They will also decide on the recommendation to develop an alternative regeneration proposition of the council-owned land at Culver Parade which reflects its environment and supports the Island Biosphere designation.
Councillor Jonathan Bacon, the Cabinet member for environment and heritage, has said the council is committed to ensuring the Island remains an internationally renowned location for palaeontology. He has also acknowledged the strong feeling in the community to maintain Browns golf course, as highlighted by a recent 3,000-strong petition raising concerns about the future use of land in the area.
He says:
“The basis for a new investment proposition at Culver Parade is to be focussed on public access, maintaining the existing environment and heritage and compliment the UNESCO Biosphere designation of the Island.
Article continues below this advertisement “We are conscious of the need to move things forward, both for the regeneration of Sandown and the potential of our world renowned dinosaur collection.
“Unfortunately in the last few years we seem to have been trying to put a square peg in a round hole. This paper allows us to take things forward without unhelpful self imposed restraints and concentrating on what will best serve our heritage and environment.
“In the meantime, the council will continue to support the tenancy of the golf course for its management and maintenance.”
Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, Cabinet member for regeneration and business development, has said the new administration wants to secure alternative investments that complement the area’s natural environment and unique heritage. She has said:
“The process to bring forward the regeneration of the Culver Parade area has presented the council with some complex challenges.
“However, as a major landowner and provider of a key tourism and educational facility, we recognise the opportunity to take a leadership role in the future of this part of the Bay which has suffered from under investment over many years.
“It’s imperative to us, as a new administration, to develop an opportunity for regeneration and investment that will enhance what the local community values as important in this area of Sandown.”
It’s noted that Dinosaur Isle will require a significant level of ongoing investment not just to maintain the fabric of the building but to refurbish and upgrade the visitor experience, adding weight to whether Dinosaur Isle will remain at Sandown in the years to come.
Of course not the council just want holibob flats to be built and make all the surrounding land private, therefore depriving the locals, once again, of anything to do.
Environmentally friendly holibob flats looking at their statement. Certainly nothing to attract or entertain visitors.
Just continuing the work started when a certain councillor told the coaches and “bucket and spade brigade” they weren’t welcome here.
I really hope I’m wrong on this but the vagueness of their statement doesn’t sound like any support from iwcc is coming our way.
For once the council had a superb plan to transform dinosaur isle into a major tourist and local attraction.
What do they do – they ditch it and now the area will go even more down the pan than it already has.
Great thinking council!!!
Well, what a surprise.
“The basis for a new investment proposition at Culver Parade is to be focussed on public access, maintaining the existing environment and heritage and compliment the UNESCO Biosphere designation of the Island.”
They come out with the environment, heritage and Biosphere flannel when it suits but when a developer rolls up with a council tax cash machine, it’s bend over time.
Ooh! How do we sustain the massive cash input for a relatively new building, made of stainless steel, and the precious artefacts therein which have lasted for millions of years? Overpriced flats for friends of council, all on their hollibobs. It’s all for our own good, folks. Take you foul-tasting medicine and like it!
All the NIMBY lot stopped development that would create jobs and improve the island so they can ‘play golf’. I expect in a year will be a new housing estate. How will the NIMBY lot like that? Well done you lot, you’re killing the island.
If the museum closes, they had better return loaned specimins back to the original donators. Council run museums have a long history of storing and then quietly selling off exhibits to raise money for their hair-brained schemes ( like electric scooters, cycle lanes and purchasing commercial property with long term loans.