Plans for the future of Ryde Harbour will be discussed at a meeting of the town council tonight (Monday 28th January).
It comes after Isle of Wight Council approved a plan to sell the site, arguing it could not afford what it claimed would be £1.3million to maintain it.
A decision taken by Councillor Stuart Hutchinson earlier this month has set out that the Council should offer the freehold/leasehold of Ryde Harbour on the open market, with a restrictive covenant that it will only be used for as harbour/marina. Campaigners are hoping the Ryde Town Council will take up the offer.
Tonight’s meeting gets underway at 19:00 at the Garfield Road Methodist Church.
Ryde Society’s Jonathan Dent said that the harbour, an essential part of Ryde’s heritage, attracts 26,000 visitors a year and even makes a small profit.
Mr Dent adds:
“There was no consultation about the sale and it could mean that whoever buys it could build on it or just leave it derelict like so many other important sites.”
Stella Davis, Chair of the Society said:
“Our members, their friends and family who can make it, will be in the role of supporting and encouraging the Town Council, particularly in clarifying the next stage of what could happen to Ryde Harbour and the land around it, one of our amazing local assets.
“The strength of the Society lies in the community it is – the people who care about their town – and there are an awful lot of them. You are important and by attending these meetings, you can make a huge difference to the future of this town.”
