Here’s a follow up to the VB article on the potential Blackgang viewpoint car park sale that we ran last night.
Two hours ago we received a statement from the council in response to questions we posed yesterday afternoon. It covers the potential sale and we’ve run their words in full.
Underneath that we’ve included the follow up questions that we’ve posed to the council this morning having read their statement.
Statement from the council
An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said “The council has not yet made a decision to dispose of the Blackgang viewport car park. Officers have however recognised that it is an important tourism asset which has the potential to provide an improved offer to visitors and locals but that this potential can only be realised with the benefit of private sector investment.
“Should members agree to consider its disposal the intention would be that it is conditional on the car park remaining free for the general public as well as seeing new tourism facilities provided in the area.”
Questions to the council
1) It is clear that no decision has been made, but the council’s own paperwork gives the indication that the process appears to have been underway for quite a while. “In negotiation with special purchaser” makes that clear. How long have negotiations been underway and how close are they to completion?
2) What are the criteria that the council judge to make the potential purchaser “special”?
3) How many potential purchasers were approached?
Why “low” value?
4) What is the range of a “low” value as described in the council paperwork?
5) What was the council analysis that led to a “low” valuation put on it?
6) If “Officers have however recognised that it is an important tourism asset”, why attach a “low” valuation to the land?
7) Given the council says conditions will be applied to the sale, why is it being sold in a “Restricted Market”?
8) Please explain what the council feel makes up the “potential to provide an improved offer to visitors and locals”?
Reason for Sale
9) The car park functions well already – people park their cars/bike there to enjoy the breathtaking views. Indeed those views have been enjoyed by many people around the world who have visited the Island.
The council lists the Reason for Sale as “To protect local tourism”, which implies that local tourism is under threat. What led to this analysis? How does selling the car park “protect local tourism”?
We’ll let you know once we receive a response to our questions.
Image: © sweeny2011
