Ryde residents slated plans to sell off the local harbour at a packed public meeting on Monday night.
Protesters accused the Isle of Wight Council of ignoring a regeneration consultation by pressing ahead with plans to sell the harbour to developers, which could result in flats being built on or around the seafront site.
In a dramatic move, Ryde Town councillors voted to explore ways of saving the harbour, including buying it from the Isle of Wight Council. They also agreed to invite senior officials and a Cabinet member from Isle of Wight Council to Ryde for a public meeting to discuss options for the future of the harbour.
Following a proposal from Councillor Michael Lilley, ward member for Ryde East, the Town Council agreed to make the following representation to Councillor Hutchinson, in response to the
contents of the delegated report, before he is due to take his decision:
“Ryde Town Council objects to the recommendations contained in the Delegated Decision Report in regard to Ryde Harbour and asks that the Cabinet Member for Resources attend a public meeting in Ryde to discuss alternative options with the Ryde community within the next two weeks, which should include the option of the Isle of Wight Council selling the Harbour to Ryde Town Council for a £1”.
Jonathan Dent, a member of the Ryde Society, said that despite claims that Isle of Wight Council has no intention of selling off public spaces in the town, it appears to be pressing ahead with plans to sell off the harbour.
“I find this underhand and clearly we the residents of Ryde have been lied to and require an explanation.
“Ryde harbour is one of the last remaining public assets that has not so far been sold off for the purposes of lining the pockets of a few.”
Article continues below this advertisement
Cllr Wayne Whittle, the Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and business development, said he supported the campaign to save the harbour:
“After sitting through the long public question time session on the harbour I feel a public meeting in Ryde where the Cabinet member and officers who wrote the paper can take questions and explain the IWC position would be helpful to all concerned parties.”
Ryde Mayor, Councillor Malcolm Ross said:
“The Town Council hopes that the Isle of Wight Council will listen to the strongly voiced views of the Ryde community before any decisions are taken about Ryde Harbour.”
Report by Peter Gruner – with additions
