The President of the Shanklin Hotel and Accommodation Association (SHAA) says the scrapping of the Dinosauria theme park plan in Sandown is a ‘missed opportunity’ that could have made a big difference to The Bay area.
The SHAA says the proposed decision of the Isle of Wight Council to abandon the plans for Culver Parade will result in a lot of local disappointment and a loss in the hospitality trade in The Bay area and beyond.
Michael Dawson, President of the SHAA, says:
“We are the only hospitality association left on the Island and as such, we feel that we need to speak out on the issue of this lost opportunity of a major tourist regeneration project, which could bring many thousands of pounds into the Island economy.
“We are the people that speak directly to our tourists and one of the most common comments we receive are “what’s happened to Sandown”. The town and the wider Bay area need some serious investment and the Dinosauria proposal would make the difference as in more employment, tourists & visitors. This would then result in more investment, regeneration and finance for the Bay and the whole Island.
“The right proposal could bring over so many more visitors, we do not need a revamped or mediocre idea taken from elsewhere; the Island needs something unique and different to attract new visitors for years to come.
“The Dinosauria proposal fits the Bay area perfectly with its fossil finds and the Dinosaur Isle collection, who will benefit as well; let’s not even consider this unique collection being moved away from this area and leaving yet another building to rot”.
Last week Island Echo reported on the local authority’s plans to move a £33million so-called ‘Disneyland opportunity’ to another location, prompting furious Sandown South councillor Ian Ward to say the leading Alliance administration ‘did not care’ about the town, nor its ‘derelict hotels and struggling High Street and seafront’.
Councillor Jonathan Bacon has hit back at the statement from SHAA, saying:
“I have to repeat, as was said clearly at last week’s Cabinet and Scrutiny Meetings, that the potential for a Dinosuaria site on the Island has not been abandoned and is being actively pursued. Appropriate locations are being assessed at the moment and a meeting with them will hopefully take place shortly.
“There is more risk to the potential for investment from people incorrectly asserting that they are not wanted on the Island as this is simply not correct.
“At the Cabinet Meeting a formal part of the decision was to pursue all relevant and appropriate consultation and this will be done. However, we do not want to have a position where scaremongering and incorrect assertions mean we have nothing to consult on!”
Why would business want to invest when the council says no to a super missed opportunity in Sandown. It could of done so much for the bay.
Instead no doubt the council will try to get it put in Cowes – where the council leader lives.
Not sure that the SHAA is in much of a position to complain about “missed opportunities”.
Why do people scaremonger Mr Bacon?
It is because they are ignorant of the facts. Saying square pegs and round holes isn’t really enough when the previous administration and investor appeared to favour this location.
Can be transparent and retain confidentiality you know.
I think Bacon is telling porkies. There is a site and it’s in Sandown, the existing site, why are you going to waste OUR money in moving it. Just spend any monies on improving and maybe enlarging what is there already.
Perhaps it’s not all about visitor numbers. I’m sure Sandown residents don’t want 100’s visiting the small Town. It would be too crowded. What Sandown needs, rebuild all the derelict hotels or refurbish them. Open up all the empty shops so they are trading again and finally, STOP flushing sewage into the sea. Maybe, just maybe we could get the Blue Flag status back for the beach then Sandown would be a lovely seaside town again. Line the pockets of the local traders, not the owners of the dinosauria or whatever it’s called!!!!!
Blue Flags??? Quick, repel boarders! Those nasty Europeans are coming!
Where’s Farago when you need him?
I thought someone said The Grand might be buying the site,or was that Browns?
I think we all know the bay is beautiful and that end is real prime estate…. With hotel fires and building being consumed by developers, that’s real estate!. Council will either develop the land themselves or sell to developer’s who will sell homes with sea views for a premium… The zoo/trust is an eye saw and I’m surprised that’s not had a compulsory purchase order on it … Maybe it will in time and become the east coast golden hill fort. Theme park will happen but at some area away from the coast where no fossles have been found … Maybe ontop of some former landfill.
how much did the council spend on feasibility studies and wining and Dining be for the new Council pulled the plug