The sale of the last available plot of land at a major Isle of Wight employment site would create around 115 transport and logistics jobs, County Hall has said.
Selling the Isle of Wight council’s Plot A2 at Whippingham’s Island Technology Park (ITP) to delivery company Island Distribution Ltd (IDL) would generate employment with above minimum wage salaries for local people, a drivers’ training facility on the Island and regeneration, according to IDL projections.
The council may also sell its freehold interest in Plot B – another parcel of land at the 10-acre site.
Jones-Evans: This sale will enable a number of the council’s aspirations and priorities
A report from Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, cabinet member for economy, regeneration, culture and leisure, said,
“The creation of around 115 jobs and a Class 1 Professional Drivers training facility on the Island will bring new jobs and training opportunities for young people and future generations on the Isle of Wight.
“This sale will enable a number of the council’s aspirations and priorities including economic recovery; positive impact on young people and future generations; to complete key regeneration projects to drive employment, skills and inward investment; and to work with businesses and training providers to develop a plan for increasing the number of apprenticeship placements and reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training.”
One objection
East Cowes Town Council and Whippingham Parish Council have been alerted to the sale proposal.
County Hall received one objection that the land should be used for technology and employment purposes.
In response, the council said it had advertised the plot over a number of years for technology use to no avail which prompted plans for other employment uses.
A request was also made by Whippingham Parish Council for a line of trees along plot B’s frontage onto Whippingham Road which the council has accommodated as a requirement in its purchase agreement.
Councillor Jones-Evans’s report adds the sale will give the council a capital receipt and lower its future revenue costs – expenses that would be incurred by continuing to manage and maintain plot A2.
Decision date
A decision on the sale will be made after 23rd October 2024.
Any representations made ahead of this must be submitted by 5pm on 22nd October to [email protected].
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
