South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)

East Cowes Application Plans to be Unveiled at Public Exhibition

16 November 2005

The latest masterplan for the development of the East Cowes Project is to be unveiled by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and national regeneration agency English Partnerships, at a public exhibition to be held on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th November 2005.

The exhibition, hosted by the development team at the East Cowes Town Hall, will present the community, local businesses and stakeholders with an opportunity to view the masterplan before it is submitted for outline planning permission before Christmas. A large scale physical model and computer generated image will be available for everyone to see.

Image: Artist's impression of a view of the redeveloped East Cowes waterfront from Cowes.

The outline planning application seeks consent for a mixed-use development that will cover an area of nearly 9 hectares (22 acres) and includes the former GKN North Works, the Sylvan Avenue housing site, Venture Quays, Trinity Wharf, the existing Red Funnel marshalling yards and the Well Road car park.

The plan includes:

• approximately 550 new houses;
• in the region of 15,000 sq m of marine related employment;
• up to 3,500 sq m of shops, bars and restaurants;
• the potential for two hotels;
• a 2,000 sq m foodstore;
• a health facility;
• a community facility;
• a new marshalling yard; and
• Maritime Heritage Experience.

Subsequent detailed planning applications will provide information building positions, external appearances, materials or landscape design will be provided at a later stage in the planning process.

Although similar to the previous masterplan shown at a series of public exhibitions in July this year, some important changes have been made as follows:

• more environmental considerations for wildlife at the Sylvan Avenue site;
• new woodland belts to enhance safe routes for red squirrels;
• an enlarged maritime museum and heritage centre;
• a comprehensive flood defence strategy to protect the town centre;
• more open space and play facilities within the proposed housing development;
• a community building that could house a library or youth facilities;
• space for private health and fitness facilities that could be connected to a hotel or be stand alone.

SEEDA's Development Projects Director, Peter Cusdin said: "Throughout the lengthy and complicated process of developing a masterplan to transform East Cowes, we made it a priority to consult with as many residents and local businesses as possible. We feel that the changes that have occurred throughout this process reflect the comments we received and are confident that the final scheme will deliver much needed employment, leisure and business opportunities and bring economic benefits to local people and the Island as a whole."

Isle of Wight Economic Partnership's Managing Director, Mike King commented: "This is a really exciting stage for the whole Cowes Waterfront initiative, marking the start of the first major regeneration in the area – this will bring great profile and new investment to the whole Island."

The outline planning application will be submitted to the Isle of Wight Council in December 2005. Once registered with the Council, all comments relating to the planning application should be directed to them, through their formal planning process.

It is hoped that a decision will be made by summer 2006 and more detailed applications will follow.

Public Exhibition: Friday, 25th November 2005 12 noon – 8 p.m.

Saturday, 26th November 2005 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The East Cowes Project is the flagship regeneration project of the Cowes Waterfront initiative which aims to attract investment, create jobs and bring new facilities to Cowes, East Cowes and Newport Harbour. The partners in this initiative are SEEDA, English Partnerships, the Isle of Wight Council and the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership.

For more information about the Cowes Waterfront initiative visit the website www.coweswaterfront.co.uk