An Isle of Wight councillor has criticised County Hall planning policies to protect derelict seafront hotels, saying something has to change.
Councillor Ian Ward, of Sandown South, said current rules severely hinder his town’s regeneration.
At last week’s economy, regeneration, transport and infrastructure (ERTIC) committee meeting, he requested the panel recommend a change of course.
He posed his questions in light of the recent furore in the national and local media about derelict hotels and other buildings in Sandown.
The Daily Express recently described Sandown as a ‘crumbling seaside town’, whilst in a separate piece featuring Cllr Ward, the Daily Mail labelled it a ‘ghost town’.
He told the chamber:
“Derelict hotels are a direct consequence of the huge reduction…in the tourism economy before the turn of the century. However, the Isle of Wight Council still has planning policies that were introduced to protect the level of tourism the Island enjoyed in the last century by protecting seafront hotels.
“However, these policies today severely hinder and hold back the regeneration of Sandown and our economy. At a recent examination of our draft Island Planning Strategy, three people told the inspectors that the policy to protect seafront hotels for tourism was outdated and needed urgent revision as they prevented the redevelopment along derelict hotel sites.
Article continues below this advertisement “The policies are a clear disincentive for the owners and/or investors.”
Chair of ERTIC Cllr Julie-Jones Evans read out the council’s response:
“The Isle of Wight Council is doing its best with the resources and powers available to it to facilitate a solution regarding the derelict buildings in Sandown.
“The emerging Island Planning Strategy has a specific policy…supporting high quality tourism which identifies all tourism accommodation areas – one in Sandown, one in Shanklin and says the council will resist the loss of tourist accommodation unless it can be robustly evidenced that the site is no longer viable for tourism accommodation.
“The planning inspectors have asked the council whether the policy approach to resisting the loss of tourist accommodation or areas is justified and this was responded to.
“Tourism is a key part of the Island’s economy – these areas are popular with visitors and have lots of hotels and restaurants and attractions, so the council sees them as vital to the Island’s success.
“The policy aims to stop hotels and guesthouses from being lost to other uses like housing unless there’s clear proof they’re no longer viable.
“This approach supports local jobs, encourages investment in better quality accommodation…all in line with national planning guidance.”
Maybe whoever it is that’s upholding the said policy, should stay in the Ocean Hotel for a couple of weeks as a tourist, and then decide whether or not they think its viable.
Does old tourism policies include
paying 50p to use toilets in Sandown
and parking free of charge all day if
parking on the pavement outside the
old tourist information centre opportunity
Sandown Pier.
No one wants to pay to park their vehicles
so is parking on the Pavement
FREE OF CHARGE outside the old
tourist information centre.
Lol
in france italy nearly all free only this bastard country..
Well said Ian Ward.
Sorry but the Daily Express is correct.
You ask visitors to Sandown who walk along Sandown High St and the Seafront. It’s a dump.
Saying we have to keep these old Collapsing building, that smashed windows, roofs burnt, Grounds look like a dumping ground, places being used by homeless & drunks. What a welcome for visitors, no wonder there not returning and our tourist trade has fallen so low.
Sandown IS a dump! I walked down the ‘High’ Street recently and didn’t recognise it. It is such a shame because it has the best beach. I’ve had several tourists approach me to ask me what is going on with “that eyesore” – the Ocean Hotel. Most of those who approach me say they are staying at the Bayshore and only use it as a base to explore the island from.
Sometimes we need to let things go and adapt. The Ocean hotel will never be viable, there isn’t the trade for hotels of this size anymore. Tourism has changed and the policies need to change to reflect that. The site would be better developed into a retirement village. An example of where development can work is along Ramsgate seafront. Similar issue with a very large , burned out building. Eventually this has been rebuilt into stunning apartments with retail space below. the first bar has opened underneath and it is a great place, which really lifts the area. All of these derelict buildings owners should be given 12 months to develop these or they should be compulsory purchased for £1 and built on. I’d rather see decent residential buildings than a fire damaged hole. The only way it can improve is if the council are BRAVE enough to do something about it, and people stopping moaning that we’ve lost hotels, bars etc form yesteryear, move on and improve Sandown for the future.
Supposedly the island council has an emrging planning policy, does that replace the last emerging policy and is it a stop gap before the next emerging planning policy,sufficient legislation already exists to prevent run down buildings becoming dangerous and an eyesore, it is the council who refuse to press the button and do something about it.
Just flatten sandown and start again ..its a complete dump..its pathetic the way it looks why anyone comes over here for a holiday..
There are surely more than enough hotels etc to cater for tourist demand already. What is crucial is to regenerate the seafront. If people want to put money into the town with good quality houses this will lift the area, bring in investment and generate employment. Waiting for hoteliers who aren’t going to come is such a misguided policy.