A contentious 145-berth leisure marina project in East Cowes harbour is continuing to divide opinion this week after support is shown despite residents’ fears.
As previously reported by Island Echo in March this year, the Cowes Harbour Commission sought permission for a development including 145 floating berths arranged across pontoons, a 142m fixed access walkway and a main pontoon area measuring 120m x 220m which is intended for both private annual berth holders and visiting vessels.
Recently, maritime youth charity UKSA has expressed ‘strong support’ for Cowes Harbour Commission’s (CHC) revised scheme, which would be accessed from East Cowes, but there are still concerns over ecological impacts.
Earlier this year, East Cowes Town Council gave its qualified support to the proposal, subject to a planning condition relating to the design of proposed metalwork.
On behalf of CHC, Rainey Petrie Architecture previously said the proposal delivers ‘high-quality, resilient, modern marine infrastructure’ that enhances the East Cowes waterfront and strengthens the town’s maritime role.
Cat Dixon, CEO of UKSA, said in a letter to County Hall:
“The proposed marina would bring significant and practical safety benefits for UKSA’s students, instructors and wider operational team.
“It will also improve the efficiency and quality of UKSA’s programmes by allowing more time to be spent on the water, learning and developing skills, and less time spent on river transit.
Article continues below this advertisement “The proposal directly supports UKSA’s charitable purpose by improving opportunities for children and young people on the Isle of Wight and beyond to access maritime education, outdoor learning and pathways into maritime careers.
“It will also strengthen East Cowes as a place where children and young people can safely, confidently and regularly access the water.”
However, East Cowes resident Susan Chubb claimed the applicant has treated the marine environment as an ‘empty space’, ignoring the ‘complex, protected ecology’ within the seagrass and mudflats.
In a letter of objection to the Isle of Wight Council. she said:
“The intersection of missing seahorse surveys with obsolete acoustic modelling means the council is entirely blind to the ecological cost of this development.”
Another opponent, Dr N. Foulkes, said that given the ‘confirmed presence of seagrass and the ‘clear, documented risks’ posed by the marina, he urges the council to refuse the application or require a full, independent ecological assessment which ‘properly evaluates’ seagrass impacts.
The Environment Agency said at present, it cannot be shown that the development would not result in ‘significant harm’ to migratory fish species, and therefore it objects to the application as previously reported.
In a Planning Statement on the project, Rainie Petrie Architecture said:
“Environmental responsibility is embedded throughout, from the protection of sensitive marine habitats to the adoption of sustainable piling methods, reduced dredging impacts, downward-directed lighting and CHC’s commitment to measurable carbon reduction.
“The marina is designed to adapt to sea-level rise and climate change, ensuring resilience, longevity and low-impact operation.”
County Hall’s public consultation on the application will end on 21st August and a decision is expected on 30th October.
