A proposal to sell a former municipal tip in Sandown could net the Isle of Wight Council £250,000.
The policy, finance and resources committee will on Thursday (5th February) consider the proposed sale of a site next to East Yar Road to Southern Water, as part of controversial plans for a Water Recycling Project.
Councillors are due to decide whether to recommend the disposal to full council on a conditional basis – subject to the private utility company getting the necessary consents for its scheme.
Opposition
One of the opponents of Southern Water’s bid, Sandown Town Council, last week heard from Councillor Debbie Andre that she felt project managers from the corporation were “intransigent” and had “made up their mind” already over the plans.
She told the local authority she was yet to be convinced the proposals were the best option for the town.
“Designed to increase the availability of drinking water on the Island by 8.5 million litres a day”
A committee report says,
“To provide resilience to the drinking water supply on the Isle of Wight, Southern Water is proposing to undertake its Wight Water Recycling Project, a strategic development that is designed to increase the availability of drinking water on the Island by 8.5 million litres a day.
“To facilitate the delivery of this project Southern Water require the acquisition of the Isle of Wight Council’s (predominantly unused) former municipal tip at East Yar Road, Sandown.
“The council could decide not to treat (negotiate) with Southern Water and to refuse to dispose of the former tip at East Yar Road.
“While this is a potential option for the council it does nothing to support the delivery of a more resilient supply of drinking water to the Island and would likely damage the council’s reputation.”
The committee will meet at County Hall at 5pm on Thursday 5th February 2026.
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
