Isle of Wight political leaders have responded to an accusation of failing Sandown, with a community group saying the town has been ‘left to rot’.
Council leader Phil Jordan and Isle of Wight East Conservative MP Joe Robertson have answered criticism from Together for Sandown that the seaside resort had been ignored.
The organisation previously denounced a ‘failure of political leadership’ after the Isle of Wight missed out on getting any funding from the government’s £5 billion Pride in Place programme at the end of last month.
It said Sandown had ‘yet again’ been overlooked, despite experiencing the ‘exact crisis’ the regeneration programme is designed to ameliorate.
In a statement, Together for Sandown said:
“The failure of our political leadership, the Isle of Wight Council and our members of parliament to proactively lobby and strategically position Sandown’s specific crisis has resulted in our complete exclusion from this vital investment.
“We now call on them to immediately launch an urgent appeal to the government.
“If the programme’s purpose is truly to tackle dereliction and restore pride, the complete exclusion of the Isle of Wight and Sandown in particular from this vital investment is baffling.”
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However, Cllr Jordan said no one is ignoring that some parts of Sandown face real and pressing challenges.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS):
“Deprivation, lack of opportunity, and visible neglect are serious issues that deserve both empathy and action.
“But it’s important to separate those circumstances from misconceptions about how the government’s Pride in Place funding operates.
“That funding programme isn’t a pot of money to repair privately owned buildings, nor is it designed to bail out landlords and property owners who have failed to maintain their buildings.
“The Pride in Place funding awards from Government were based on their own deprivation data and criteria – not local political policy on the Isle of Wight.
“The government funding was about strategic, long-term investment in projects that strengthen communities — improving public spaces, boosting local pride, and creating the conditions for economic growth.”
He said there was a “world of difference” between community deprivation, which should and will continue to be tackled through regeneration, skills and opportunity, and private buildings which have “fallen into disrepair”.
Responsibility for those buildings lies “squarely with their owners”, Cllr Jordan added.
The Alliance group leader finished by stating it was the council’s task to ensure “our challenging public money availability delivers the best services we can for the public benefit”.
“That means channelling funds where they can make the biggest difference: into people, places, and opportunities that help areas such as Sandown and the wider Island thrive – not into fixing privately owned property assets.”
Mr Robertson said:
“As outlined in the recent Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (ICON) report, Isle of Wight East was listed as the second most left behind constituency in the UK.
“Following the report publication, I wrote to government ministers outlining my concerns about how deprivation impacts on the quality of life of residents, in terms of education, jobs and opportunity.
“It is deeply disappointing that, despite government saying the ICON report would inform decision making surrounding future funding across the UK, the Island has not been included in the recent ‘Pride in Place’ announcement.
“I am working with local groups in Sandown including the Bay Business Association, and am supporting projects including the Sea Pool, re-wilding education opportunities, and Sandown Town Hall as a space for young people.
“The Shadow Chancellor, Mel Stride MP, visited Sandown in the summer at my invitation, and saw first-hand the effect which derelict hotels and properties have on the town.”
He said the Shadow Chancellor had heard about the impact of the ferries on the Island’s tourism industry and that as an Island MP he continues to “Work to bring about change to high ticket pricing and timetabling issues”.
Mr Robertson also told the press he had referred to Sandown on the main stage at last week’s Conservative Party conference, where it was announced that a future Conservative government would give 100 per cent business rates relief for shops and pubs.
Such a policy would make a “meaningful difference” to the regeneration of areas such as Sandown High Street, he added.
The MP ended by reiterating Together for Sandown’s complaint that the East Wight had been “left behind”, stressing it was his “ongoing case to government” which had been strengthened by Sandown’s exclusion from the Pride in Place programme.
“I will continue to raise this with Ministers using all avenues and methods possible to ensure that we get the appropriate funding and support we deserve.”
was left to rot last 30 years might as well leave to fully go..
As with ventnor. The island is falling apart
Bet that pile of stones in ventnor are still there …..
I remember reading a good few years ago if buildings
were left in a poor condition the Council would act.
This Council has done nothing to help Sandown.
It is clear to me that the island needs special status. Perhaps a Freeport? Or a separate tax entity like the Isle of Man or the Channel Isles?
Otherwise the island really is in a long term decline, with tourism in stark falls every year, and the working people of the island unable to afford the crippling fares demanded by the ferry companies. So Freeport or Tax haven?
So Councilor Jordan says that we are stuck with the derelict hotels so, basically, stop moaning about them. Brilliant leadership sir!