The Isle of Wight council will consider all planning enforcement tools available, it said, after a government task force slammed the authority’s efforts.
It comes as the High Street Task Force (HSTF) said a lack of strong vision prevented the transformation of Sandown High Street.
New pictures reveal what government officers saw.
Marked as a specific area of challenge
Sandown was chosen by the Isle of Wight council to receive government help after it was marked as a specific area of challenge.
The task force visited the town in July to ‘diagnose’ the main problems that, if were not resolved now, would make it difficult for Sandown to change.
A lot going for it, but with a number of weaknesses
Government officers saw the town had a lot going for it, but also identified a number of weaknesses.
The “single most significant issue”, government officials highlighted, was the presence of multiple dilapidated heritage buildings on the Esplanade and Culver Parade.
The council’s current strategy was said to be unlikely to remedy the situation in the long term.
IWC: Already begun the process
An Isle of Wight council spokesperson said it had already begun the process of considering its approach to enforcement, done in conjunction with key stakeholders, following the recent Local Government Association peer review.
They said a potential aim would be to direct enforcement resources to particular issues in particular areas — which could include a focus on dilapidated and empty buildings — to deliver maximum benefits to the community.
IWC: Will consider all options available
The council said enforcement notices would remain a tool in certain, appropriate circumstances, but it would consider all options available, although conscious of the significant resource, time and cost implication of some measures including compulsory purchase.
Government officers believed the council should improve its partnerships and communications with businesses and the community to enable a better-quality vision to be developed that can inform future plans.
IWC: Looking forward to working closely with key stakeholders
The Isle of Wight council said it was fully engaged with, and looked forward to working more closely with other key stakeholders in tackling some of the issues highlighted, to build a shared vision for the town.
The council confirmed they are in the process of setting up further HSTF support as a result of the report.
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
