Isle of Wight Council has submitted a planning application to install a refurbished SR-N4 hovercraft propeller and pylon on land adjacent to Albany Green in East Cowes, with the public consultation period now open until Friday 1st May 2026.
The application, reference 26/00426/FUL, asks for permission to mount a four-bladed propeller assembly onto a restored pylon on a small triangular parcel of land currently forming part of the Wight Shipyard Company’s secure storage compound.
The council commissioned Newport-based surveying and project management firm ERMC to coordinate the scheme, which forms part of the wider regeneration of the East Cowes waterfront.
A piece of hovercraft history
The SR-N4 was one of the largest hovercraft ever built, operating passenger and vehicle crossings between England and France for several decades.
The propeller assembly currently sits in storage awaiting refurbishment, with the pylon and prop shaft to be painted red and the four blades finished in black with red tips – a colour scheme chosen for its striking visual impact.
The total installation stands under seven metres tall, and the council aims to complete the work by late summer 2026 with heritage funding in place to cover the costs.
Part of a wider regeneration effort
The proposal connects to the broader regeneration of the East Cowes public realm, addressing goals including improving the waterfront’s appearance, encouraging people to linger, and integrating maritime heritage interpretation into the public space.
Low guard railings will surround the structure, and interpretation boards will provide information about the SR-N4’s history and operational use.
The application explains that small uplighters will cast a warm light onto the propeller and pylon after dark, allowing the installation to serve as a visual landmark in the evening as well as during the day.
How to have your say
The public consultation on application 26/00426/FUL closes on Friday 1st May 2026 and a decision is due by 25th May 2026.
