As time starts to run out for hopes of an ice rink on the Isle of Wight again, the first phase of development of the Smallbrook Ice and Leisure Centre (SILC) has been submitted — for tennis courts.
Permission for the major facility, next to Smallbrook Stadium, was granted in December 2019, after support from hundreds of Islanders persuaded the Isle of Wight Council’s planning committee to go against officers’ recommendations to refuse the scheme.
The new indoor sports centre was approved to have an ice rink, multi-use courts, climbing wall, trampoline area and tennis courts.
The plans were welcomed by the community who had missed having an ice rink on the Island, however, planning permission for the much-requested rink runs out in December this year and there is no indication of an ice rink in the latest submission.
Plans have been submitted by Zyrieda Denning and Jasmine Sports, the backers behind the project, for the first phase of the sports centre’s development – but different to those approved.
The team is seeking to change the plans, altering the layout.
The new application (21/02199/RVC) is looking to build tennis courts and structures, with temporary access and limited parking, on the area originally designated as the car park.
It is unclear whether or not ice rink plans are to follow.
2 objectors have so far commented, with 1 saying it was an entirely new proposition than the ice rink and should be treated as a new application. The other questioned the lack of information, including what were the other phases of the original sports facilities, saying there were a ‘great many’ tennis courts on the Island but no ice rink.
Another application (21/02200/DIS) seeks to discharge conditions from the original major application for the sports centre, but in relation to the tennis courts. They suggest the use of the tennis courts will be limited to a maximum of 8 people at any one time and the courts would be open between 08:00 and 21:00.
Looking at both applications, Island Roads said it was unable to recommend discharging the conditions relating to highways. The highways authority had previously objected to the main development and said its concerns still remain, seeking more information.
What good are tennis courts,only a few can use at same time and there plenty not being used around Island. Ice rink is what we need and this was why public support in 1st place, needed for kids and youths,they are not interested in tennis, they can play in school.
It is not for the kids, it is for the islands ELITE. (And I don’t mean good at tennis).
The island had an ice rink in a very accessible place and it closed, why would people use an ice rink in the middle of no where more?
This could become the 8th wonder of the Isle of Wight – a planning approved ice and leisure centre with no ice
who is going to want to play tennis when the speed way is going on ?
Haven’t we got one ?
More corruption
Like I always say the COUNCIL know what’s going to happen yeares before. Its all a utter con.
I wonder if the only reason an Ice Rink was included in the first place was that would be the only reason they were told they would get planning permission?
We all know an Ice Rink is unlikely to make any money, hence they now want permission without it.
Aah now we know what Ryde’s new supermarket will look like! Ultimately, I am sure that is what it will become. One of the reasons we need an all singing all dancing new roundabout.
The 8th wonder of the Isle of Wight – an ice and leisure centre with no ice
We do actually need an indoor tennis court because of the many tennis courts on the island, none are covered – meaning they can’t be used for half of the year.