PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION THIS SUNDAY AS HARBOUR FARM ACTION GROUP CONTINUES PROTESTING EFFORTS

The Harbour Farm Action Group plans to hold a public demonstration on Embankment Road in Bembridge this Sunday (4th February), despite what seems like a major ‘U’ turn by the Environment Agency. The Agency’s operations manager, John O’Flynn, promised, in a phone call to Andrew Holman the action group’s chair, to properly consult local people over the future of Harbour Farm. He denied a deal had already been done to rent further land to the RSPB, saying the decision will probably be made later this year after they have held public meetings in September or October to listen to the views of local people. Since buying the land 10 years ago, the Agency has let it go to wrack and ruin, resulting in derelict and dangerous buildings and once beautiful gardens and orchards overgrown with impenetrable brambles. The Harbour Farm Action Group has been asking for public access to the farm and grounds for the last two years. They want to see established an accessible nature walk, with full disabled access, and bird hides for people to enjoy the wonderful variety of wildlife in the area. The pinnacle of their ambition is to see a joint wildlife organisation visitor centre based there. It was only after a sustained campaign by the group, including a petition now signed by over 1,100 people and months of emails, complaints and letters asking to be heard that the manager at last contacted the group on 24th January 2024. The agency’s operations manager said he was responding to a complaint from the group’s chair Andrew Holman and a letter from Bob Seely MP, who took up the groups concerns. Holman says other concessions gained by the group included, “the removal of barbed wire from gates, details of the lease showing what land is rented to the RSPB, who manage the neighbouring Brading Marsh bird reserve, what is left under EA control and when these agreements were signed and will run out.” The Action Group will continue to try to liaise and work productively with both Environment Agency workers and the RSPB to further their plans for public access. Local Isle of Wight Councillors have expressed support saying ‘Joe Robertson (Bembridge), Jonathan Bacon (Brading and St Helens) and Ian Ward (Sandown South) are seeking a meeting with RSPB through Bob Seely’s office.’ For more details of the group, see the Harbour Farm Nature Walk Action Group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/338010285746445 to sign their petition go to https://www.change.org/HarbourFarm.