The Isle of Wight Council has closed the planning enforcement case that saw Ventnor Winter Gardens undergo work to improve the site’s visual condition.
In a statement, County Hall said the landowner of the site has been ‘cooperative’ and carried out all works requested by the council, with ‘visual harm’ now ‘resolved’.
A spokesperson said that as a result, formal enforcement action has not been required.
As previously reported by Island Echo, the local authority embarked upon a pre-section 215 process with local businessman Kevin Sussmilch, of the Winter Gardens’ owners – The Hambrough Group.
This identified required improvements to the dilapidated Art Deco-style building, such as re-rendering, filling in cracks, painting and repairing the roof.
Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 gives a local planning authority the power, in certain circumstances, to require land to be cleaned up when its condition adversely affects the amenity of an area.
An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said:
“The council recognises the importance of the Winter Gardens locally and understands the concerns that have been raised.
Article continues below this advertisement “The council’s planning enforcement team has worked with the landowner to address the visual condition of the building, which is the matter that falls within planning control.
“The works undertaken have been completed at the council’s request and are considered proportionate to address the impact the building was having on the surrounding area.
“In terms of the wider condition of the building, planning legislation, through Section 215 powers, is specifically focused on amenity and appearance.
“It does not extend to structural matters, which are governed through other statutory frameworks and responsibilities.”
They said that on this basis, the enforcement case will be closed and added that the council will continue to engage where appropriate through the relevant regulatory routes.
Cllr Ed Blake, Conservative representative for Ventnor and St Lawrence, said:
“I disagree with the council that the Planning Enforcement Notice has been completed to a satisfactory standard.
Would be great to see it brought back to it’s former
glory.
Would it? It’s become unused for very good reasons. Let’s get with modern times and stop living in the past, please. Provide what people need TODAY, not yesterday. The Island is becoming more decrepit by the day thanks to wishful nonsense about times past.
If you want modern day rather than the glorious past
it could always be a building to house migrants
How modern day do you want!
Personally I prefer the past, but each to their own.
Obviously you don’t like living in the past and many people do,
So kindly take my useful advice and move back where you came from.
lol – and where might that be, in your clearly uninformed opinion? The truth hurts, doesn’t it? Time for Islanders who want to live in the past to move away because things WILL change, with you or without you. Yesterday is gone forever, just like the fishermen of 19th century Sandown and I dare say they objected, too.
So County Hall said that the owner has been “cooperative” and the “visual harm” has now been resolved.
Oh good! It (allegedly) does not look like an eyesore anymore (depends on one’s eyesight) because it has been painted.
However, the Council also states ““It does not extend to structural matters, which are governed through other statutory frameworks and responsibilities.”
Only a fool would suggest that it is SAFE to enter this broken down monstrosity.
As with many old buildings – Ryde Theatre, Ocean Hotel and many others, the Winter Gardens are unfit for use and should be demolished.
The local Councillor should demand an independent Structural Surveyor be appointed to give an expert determination as to the buildings safety.
If necessary through a CPO.
There are many other properties which should bear looking at under Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 giving a local planning authority the power, in certain circumstances, to require land to be cleaned up when its condition adversely affects the amenity of an area.
The eyesore at the very top of Castle Road Ventnor being numero uno!
As for the Council, Roger Daltrey springs to mind “Meet the new boss – same as the old boss”.
Very well said!!! At last, someone talking sense and understanding rather than nostalgic nonsense.
Sensible words thankyou JS83
Your probably wasn’t born on the island so take my advice moved back where you have come from we don’t want people like you living on the island.
Myself I was born on the island and lived in Ventnor since 1974 the best on the island and the people in Ventnor look after each other.
Congratulations.
And you think it’s ok to live as we have always lived, do you?
And please speak for yourself without resorting to “we”. I’m part of “we”, also an Islander, and I certainly don’t agree with you.
oh, and I don’t resort to telling folk who disagree with me to go away, either.
In reply to Mssrs Evans & JS83 to “get with modern times & provide what people need TODAY & not yesterday” ,Well as of 2026 maybe a 30 bed HMO is needed or maybe a drug rehabilitation centre/ unmarried mothers domestic abuse centre or perhaps an immigration centre? – and if we really want some nostalgia a workhouse wouldn’t go a miss to save on the benefits bill !?!?!
Days of an afternoon high tea and a quick skip round the dance floor are long gone along with nostalgia, glenn miller, respect and manners, many will say thats a bad thing , others ,we have to evolve, a coat of paint will not keep the elements out of this building and ten years down the road the council will be begging the owners to flatten the place and build some flats , the council had the option to buy this building years ago and rightly said, no thanks this is a money pit.