Today (Friday) is the last day to get your comments to the Isle of Wight planning department for the Red Funnel planning application in East Cowes.
Residents oppose plans
As highlighted last week during OnTheWight’s live reporting of the public meeting held at East Cowes Town Hall, many residents are opposed to the plans, which has attracted just under 200 comments on the planning Website.
The application (viewable on the council website) is cited as being part of the East Cowes Regeneration plans, but many residents feel the application only serves Red Funnel and not the town.
CEO’s comments challenged
At the end of last month, OnTheWight ran an open letter from Kevin George, the CEO of Red Funnel. Many residents in East Cowes were unhappy with the responses given by the ferry company boss.
Sharon Lake, a resident in East Cowes, has put together her response to his comments, which she feels do not address the issues.
1. “The plan does nothing for parking in East Cowes”
Kevin George says,
130 new parking spaces have been provided in outline planning. Larger Marshalling Yard will enable early arrivals to park – thus freeing up on Street Parking in East Cowes.
Sharon Lake replies,
The outline plan is very vague and whilst it indicates there could be additional parking, Kevin George admits further on in the open letter that the value of the land would discourage a developer from building a car park.
Overflow parking at Whippingham (as is currently used during Festivals) or Kingston Industrial Park could be utilised on a more permanent basis – valuable employment land should not be used as a car park currently the yard is only utilised at 50% capacity (@ 80% capacity 4.5% of the time) – quite often the roads are gridlocked yet the Phoenix Yard is virtually empty. Inefficient marshalling by staff should be addressed.
2. “The ferry terminal is in the wrong location”
Kevin George says,
Even if there was an alternative location the funding is not available for a project that would be more expensive.
Sharon Lake replies,
If you cannot afford to do it properly – don’t do it at all – this is supposed to be about the regeneration of East Cowes! Not a half-hearted attempt.
3. “Why build a new terminal now when it is only full on a few days of the year?”
Kevin George says,
Traffic in the current terminal overflows consistently and this will only increase as the Island economy grows. By having a larger holding area capable of holding two sailings worth of traffic, will eliminate congestion and free-up parking.
Sharon Lake replies,
Again, overflow parking out of town would also eliminate congestion – allowing for a smaller yard in East Cowes thus enabling a Marine Quarter to thrive (high skilled / high paid jobs).
4. “The site of the new terminal should be retained for marine businesses”
Kevin George says,
Alternative locations have been considered but ruled out due to cost. Marine businesses can relocate to Kingston.
Sharon Lake replies,
Again …. Money – NOT what is best for East Cowes.
There is NO deep water frontage at Kingston – the Apron at Venture Quays was paid for by Tax Payer money to support the Marine industry and to replace the loss of Trinity Wharf.
5. “The businesses at Trinity Wharf and Seaholme yard will be forced to move”
Kevin George says,
The businesses currently occupying these sites are on short term leases were fully aware of the proposed development of the site. An alternative deep water site has been identified at Kingston.
Sharon Lake replies,
Businesses were encouraged into East Cowes by SEEDA as part of the regeneration on the promise that once new commercial units were provided at Venture Quays, they would be given the opportunity to occupy them.
The Kingston reference is an incorrect statement (as mentioned above).
