The redevelopment of a large section of Cowes has been in the air for a long time. This week consultants for the developer have released the first indicative sketches, following workshops they held in Cowes last weekend.
For those wondering about the size of the site, we’ve highlighted on an interactive map below and have embedded the background documents published by the consultants, John Thompson and Partners (JTP), as well as their post-weekend report.
From the report
This section below is taken from that report and it’s in their words:-
Over 200 people took part in the Medina Yard Community Planning Weekend on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 February at Cowes Yacht Haven to help create a new Vision for this important site. People participated in workshops, walkabouts and hands-on planning groups to consider key issues and opportunities for the site and its relationship to Cowes.
Topics discussed included public access to the waterfront, employment, housing and the creation of visitor and heritage attractions.
Following the public workshops, the John Thompson and Partners (JTP) team analysed and summarised the outcomes and created an illustrated Vision for the site, which was reported back to the community on Tuesday 5 February at Cowes Yacht Haven.
A key outcome from the weekend was people’s desire to continue to be involved in the development of proposals for the site. In response to this there will be the Community Forum held in March 2013 with the date widely publicised.
Background
Medina Yard is a significant urban brownfield site located within walking distance of Cowes town centre, occupying a highly prominent stretch of river frontage approximately 460 meters in length at the mouth of the Medina Estuary.What was once a prosperous part of the town for large scale ship building has now become largely obsolescent, dilapidated and isolated from the local community.
JTP, architects and community planners, has been appointed by the Harrison Trust, to work with the local community to create a new Vision for the site, incorporating a viable mix of uses.
Following the creation of the Vision, the team will develop the proposals further and draw up a new Development Brief for the site, in negotiation with Isle of Wight Council, other statutory bodies and the local community.
Interactive map of the development site
View Median Yard in a larger map
Medina Yard documents
Image submitted by John Thompson & Partners
