East Cowes residents have shared ideas for the future of their community in draft proposals for a new Town Plan.
This plan will set out a vision of what East Cowes will be like to live and work in over the next 15 years, and how that vision can be achieved.
Adopted Town & Neighbourhood Plans are meant be considered by the Isle of Wight Council in decisions on planning applications, infrastructure, economic regeneration and housing development.
18% of all 3,850 households in East Cowes responded to a detailed seven-page questionnaire in August and September this year. The document released today compiles the wishes and concerns of East Cowes residents from 4,886 pages of survey data into fifteen draft proposals which can be taken forward to the next stage of the town plan process.
These draft proposals include:
- A permanent pedestrian and cycle bridge connecting East and West Cowes which allows taller vessels to pass on demand
- The ‘Round the Island’ cycle route upgraded to provide safe junctions, reduced speed limits and clear road markings
- Support for existing business and start-ups, including parcel & pallet logistics for town centre traders
- A weekly open-air market selling fresh food and local produce in the town centre
- Limited leisure and hospitality development on the Esplanade to help fund clearing the 2014 landslip
- A new dinghy park on the Esplanade, with public toilets re-opened and vehicle parking for disabled people
- Allocation of sites for an open-air swimming pool and an indoor sports centre in the town
- New routes for signposted footpaths and bridleways to connect the town to the countryside
- Setting aside land for housing young and disabled people on brownfield sites in the town
- Closer links between Osborne House and the town to increase tourist spend in the local economy
The 18 page PDF document featuring the first draft of the community’s proposals for the Town Plan is available to download from https://www.planresearch.co.uk/east_cowes_town_plan_proposals_v1.1.pdf.
An online workshop will be held on the 7th December at 19:00 to refine these proposals. Residents of East Cowes and local stakeholders who wish to participate in shaping the Town & Neighbourhood Plans can get involved by registering for this workshop at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/east-cowes-town-neighbourhood-plans-proposal-workshop-tickets-130671543103 or by phoning consultants Plan Research on the local rate phone number 0845 508 3085.
You will have a say, but UNLESS it fits in with what the council and their developer chums were going to do anyway, it will count for nothing.
Vote this council out next given chance.
I agree, however it doesn’t matter who you vote for, they are all as useless as each other.
Great to see active involvement by residents.
There is a big gap in this plan: industry isn’t even mentioned. EC has superb access to sheltered deep water, currently being used by Wight Shipyard but with plenty more capacity. Then there is the wasteland which is Kingston, and for which Cowes Harbour Authority has no serious intentions.
Come on, East Cowes, you’ve started well, now finish the job!
[East Cowes native]
Can’t they just honour the promises from the last few regeneration plans ? find some businesses to set up marine industry along the medina behind Hawthorn meadows, or get some real businesses to set up technology industry at the island technology park – all those things that the granting of permission for those massive new housing estates were supposed to help deliver but of course never did – if not then how about some fresh wire fences and a lick of cheap paint for the derelict old doctors surgery to give it a newly abandoned feel instead of the tired, abandoned and neglected for years feel it currently has? Maybe they can introduce triple yellow lines everywhere and increase parking fines by 50% in triple lined areas – now that’s something the council are more than capable of !
Why a pedestrian and cycle bridge – why not a bridge for vehicles, pedestrians and cycles. Then do away with the useless floating bridge.
“18% of all 3,850 households in East Cowes responded to a detailed seven-page questionnaire in August and September this year.” Strange this, I live in East Cowes and certainly did not receive any questionnaire whatsoever.
they been on about east cowes for decades what has happened …fxxucall still a shxxit hole…same as most fo rest of island got a new shiny juction at st marys now though brilliant…