Organised by the Island’s MP, Andrew Turner, representatives from the Isle of Wight Council yesterday (Tuesday) met in London with Liz Truss MP, Secretary of State for Justice, to discuss future plans for development on the Island – involving land around Camp Hill Prison.
This initiative links into the announcement of millions of pounds of government funding being allocated to the Island for infrastructure improvements between Newport and Cowes.
Yesterday’s meeting was attended by the Island’s MP himself, accompanied by Deputy Council Leader Stuart Hutchinson, local Parkhurst Councillor Richard Hollis and the Isle of Wight Council’s regeneration officer. It is said the meeting was wide ranging covering a range of issues including proposals for the ‘One Island – One Service’ public sector hub to be developed on the Island, as well as other ways of maximising the use of the land for economic regeneration.
Speaking after receiving a briefing on the outcome of the meeting, Council Leader Dave Stewart confirmed that the Minister had also indicated her support for part of the land to be used to alleviate the ongoing problems of parking at the nearby Hunnyhill Primary School which had been raised previously by the Island’s MP during questions in the house to the Secretary of State.
Cllr Dave Stewart says:
“We are delivering on our commitment to the Island through economic growth, supported by our MP and Government Ministers.
“Andrew Turner also raised the question of development of the public sector hub with the Secretary of State Sajid Javid in parliament this week and was thanked by the Minister for arranging his visit to the Island last week, as well as expressing his support to progress the public sector hub idea.
“This is good news for a Conservative led administration, who are now regularly engaging with Ministers about the future of the Island”.
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