A planning application has been submitted by the Isle of Wight Council to the Isle of Wight Council in a bid to improve the public realm area of land at Albany on the East Cowes Esplanade.
The proposal, submitted by ERMC Ltd on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council, aims to enhance and give a boost to the area, bringing in people both local to East Cowes and those who live further afield. The proposals seek to allow the East Cowes Town Council and Isle of Wight Council to improve the utilised outdoor space of local importance.
Details of the application include improvements to the Southern Water Pump Station building by reinstating a fully accessible WC and changing room and transforming the undercroft area under the Columbine Prom building to provide a naturally ventilated, secure, and useable public space.
Improvements to the surrounding gardens that support flood prevention are proposed along with provision of an interactive space to engage with nature, and the addition of 2 multipurpose event spaces with added seating in an amphitheatre design are also planned.
It is anticipated that by improving the green space, dwell space, modernising the pump station and creating a useable ‘under the prom’ space, the area will be able to better serve East Cowes residents as well as people from further afield, providing an inviting space for the community and visitors alike.
Councillor Karl Love, ward member for East Cowes, has said:
“A very big community effort has taken place in arriving at this point and I thank everyone who engaged in this process, and Town Councils for their contributions.”
Julie Jones-Evans, cabinet member for Levelling Up, Business Development, Regeneration and Tourism, adds:
“We’ve reached an exciting and pivotal stage of the Venture Quays public realm improvements, after extensive local consultation the scheme is now ready for public and planning scrutiny, hopefully leading to approval.
“East Cowes town council representatives have been with us every step of the way in coming up with the designs, following extensive public consultation last year.
“I’d encourage all those who are interested to take a look and use the opportunity to comment. It’s all very helpful feedback.”
Are they going to supply people with gas masks
There are far more important things that the council could and should be spending OUR money on. How about reducing our council tax bills? More stupidity and pie in the sky from our corrupt council.
Yeah. Wonder WHO ERMC Ltd are?
So what’s your idea, never do anything for the public to keep council tax to the minimum? No public parks, esplanades, parking on the road?
At a time when people are genuinely struggling just to live, yes. With your attitude you obviously have far more money to throw around than the rest of us.
Well that’s already been approved !!!
The council and town council , rubber stamped as I type !!!!!!
Pretty on paper but reality no way
Surely Southern Water should cough up for this? Drop in the ocean for them… Wouldn’t compensate for the other stuff they drop in the ocean but hey it’s a start.
The carefree children that can’t be prosecuted or named will wreak and destroy so what would be a waste of money time and resources
and how are they funding this, no-one has said
From us as usual obviously.
Yay, the genius’s at the council suddenly realise public toilets help attract visitors! What’s happening with the ones that are there already?
Taken together with the Barracks proposal this is a much needed improvement to an uninspiring area. Offers the prospect of a nice place to “dwell”
Would appear that the money is already available without taking it from another budget.
Keeping it nice will be mainly down to a sense of community ownership.
Well done to the Councils
Sweet.
East Cowes esplanade has a lot of potential to be a fun space, a true esplanade, rather than just another parking lot by the sea! Each year something small is being added, slowly moving us in a good direction 🙂
The extension from last year behind the gate is great for running, walking, strolling without worrying about cars, and easy access to swim further away from the crowds. Now some plants in this desolated meadow are going to be great in the summer. Lets keep the grass tall!
Never understood why they closed the toilets on this piece of sea front in the beginning. ERMC are a Property Management company actually based on the Island. Once this is developed I just hope awful parking meters are not added this will really spoil the sea front, some things in life should be free of charge we pay more than enough Council Tax in E Cowes to substantiate this compared to the rest of the Island and MAINLAND.
Or we could have an esplanade that’s an actual esplanade: a place for people, not cars, to enjoy the seaside. There’s a parking available already for cars next to the boat lot – everything else should be pedestrianised to the point even little kids can ride three wheeler bikes or skateboard without having to yield to cars constantly.
What really spoils the seafront now is car fumes and noise. Just compare it to Cowes. We give 60-80% of space to cars, and a small sidewalk for pedestrians. This is not a good ratio for an esplanade that by definition should aim at pedestrians, not drivers.
when tide out stinks of crap bit like the town its self dont bother wasting the money for nothing it only be set on fire and vandalised anyway..plus it will never happen.