A group of local campaigners, calling themselves Harbour Farm Action Group, are expecting upwards of 100 people to join them for a demonstration today (Sunday) in Bembridge from 2pm.
The campaign group are accusing the Environment Agency (EA) of allowing Harbour Farm — which was purchased more than ten years ago — of letting “it go to wrack and ruin, resulting in derelict and dangerous buildings and once beautiful gardens and orchards overgrown with impenetrable brambles”.
Plans for the area
The purchase of Harbour Farm made the national news in 2103, after a retired Colonel and his wife said they were forced out of their home by the EA and RSPB.
The RSPB had a different view to what was being reported in the Daily Mail and Express newspapers and outlined to News OnTheWight readers their plans for the area.
The purchase was made to allow for river levels to be raised and creating breeding grounds for wildfowl that includes brent geese, widgeons, shovellers, lapwings, and redshanks.
Nature walk
Fast forward to 2024 and the Harbour Farm Action Group say they’ve been asking for public access to the farm and grounds for the last two years.
They want to see established an accessible nature walk, with full disabled access, and bird hides for people to enjoy the wonderful variety of wildlife in the area, as well as a visitor centre.
The group say the land is leased to the RSPB.
Consultation later in the year?
Andrew Holman, the Chair of Harbour Farm Action Group, says a representative from the EA assured him that local people would be “properly consulted” over the future of Harbour Farm, with public meetings being held in September or October to listen to the views of local people.
However, there appears to be confusion within the EA, Mr Holman states, after he was informed by them that, “No group has been set up and no discussions or decisions have been made about the future operation and use of the farm”. However, he says that in May 2023, an email from the agency’s flood risk advisor stated, “The Harbour Farm working group are next meeting on 12 June.”
Contact from EA
Mr Holman added that it was only after a sustained campaign by the group, including a petition now signed by over 1,100 people and months of emails, complaints and letters asking to be heard, that an EA manager contacted the group.
The agency’s operations manager said he was responding to a complaint from Mr Holman and a letter from Bob Seely MP, who took up the groups concerns.
Concessions gained by the group
Mr Holman says other concessions gained by the group included,
“The removal of barbed wire from gates, which to be fair has already been done. Details of the lease showing what land is rented to the RSPB, responsible for managing the neighbouring Brading Marsh bird reserve, what land is left under EA control and when these agreements were signed and will run out.”
He added that he had mentioned to the EA,
“We know the Agency is cash strapped so we have offered to construct and pay for the walk and bird hides ourselves from fundraising and the help that has already been offered by local people, an offer he seemed interested in.”
Holman: Group reserves the right to take it further
Mr Holman says the Action Group will continue to try to liaise and work productively with both EA workers and the RSPB to further their plans for public access. But state,
“The group is currently not happy with the agency’s reply to their complaint and, as such reserves the right to take it further to the parliamentary ombudsman and seek further detail with Freedom of Information requests to find out what is really happening.”
Local support
Mr Holman told News OnTheWight that Isle of Wight councillors have expressed support saying Joe Robertson (Bembridge), Jonathan Bacon (Brading and St Helens) and Ian Ward (Sandown South) are seeking a meeting with RSPB through Bob Seely’s office.
He added that Bembridge Parish Council promised at their meeting on 17th January to write to the group with their decision on supporting these plans, but so far nothing has been received.
No plans for tresspass
The action group plan to make clear that, at their demonstration on Sunday 4th February (starting at 2pm outside the farm’s main entrance on Embankment Rd Bembridge PO35 5NS) there will be no trespassing onto EA land or risking any disturbance to birds or wildlife in the area.
Mr Holman said,
“By our nature, we are a respectful group who will only be working with nature to the benefit of both people and wildlife.”
Find out more
You can find out more about the group by visiting their Facebook Group, or you can sign their petition by visiting the Change.org website.
News OnTheWight has put a number of questions to the Environment Agency and will update once we hear back.
Article edit
4.10pm 6th Feb 2024 – “compulsory” removed from reference to purchase
