RED FUNNEL SUBMITS LATEST PLANS FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF EAST COWES TERMINAL

Red Funnel has submitted a hybrid planning application to the Isle of Wight Council as the cross-Solent operator looks to move forward with its plans for the redevelopment of its East Cowes ferry terminal. A public consultation was launched last year to seek views from local residents and the wider Island community on plans to completely redevelop the area around Dover Road and Castle Street. Now, Red Funnel has submitted its latest plans to the local authority – almost 10 years after first revealing its desire to transform the waterfront at East Cowes. The news comes just weeks after it was announced that 3 new ferries are being ordered for the East Cowes-Southampton vehicle ferry service. Full planning permission is being sought for the demolition of the existing ferry terminal building, the construction of a new terminal and associated marshalling yard works. Permission to replace the existing linkspan and construct a secondary linkspan, to provide resilience, is also being sought, as is permission for the construction of a berth for the hi-speed Red Jet. Furthermore, outline permission is being applied for in respect of a mixed-use development comprising 30 residential properties and commercial space, as well as a 79-room hotel. Under the plans, the marshalling yard will be moved to the ‘Redux’ yard (opposite Waitrose) which would give access to 2 linkspans. The existing terminal would be moved from Redux to ‘Trinity’ yard, where a dedicated drop off/pick up area would be established. It’s at Trinity yard that shops and residential properties will be built; a total of 30 apartments with 10 parking spaces and 520m2 of flexible commercial space. Behind the new terminal would be access to a pontoon where the Red Jet could berth if not in use, or if access to the West Cowes port was unavailable. There are no current plans to operate a permanent Red Jet service from East Cowes. Across the road at ‘Phoenix’ yard, which is currently the secondary marshalling yard opposite GKN Aerospace, a new hotel could be built with 33 undercroft parking spaces. 2 bus stops would be created directly outside.

It is proposed that the development will take place over 3 phases, but no timescale has been given. The project has already run on for nearly 10 years… it was in September 2015 that Red Funnel first sought permission for the redevelopment at East Cowes, which was refused in April 2016. The matter went to appeal with permission given in August 2017, which led to some demolition works in 2019. According to planning documents, Phase 1 would see the marshalling yard reconfigured, the new terminal building constructed and new walkways put in place, with the existing terminal then flattened. Phase 2 would see the new linkspan and approach ramp built, with the existing linkspan remaining operational throughout. Then, in Phase 3, the existing linkspan would be demolished and replaced and the Red Jet berth would be built. It’s said that the plans put forward for consideration by the Councill could result in dramatic improvements, not only in the experience of passengers but also within the built environment of East Cowes, particularly with regard to the impact of traffic on the town centre. A decision should be made by the Isle of Wight Council by the end of September.