You may’ve noticed the barrage of press releases from the comms’ department earlier in the week.
They chose to highlight the Schools Capital Programme, the Home to Education Transport Policy, the Future Options for Social Care Services and the grassroots funding for local councils.
We were intrigued as to why they hadn’t issued a release about item 7, Newport Harbour Estate.
Boundary disputes
Many will already know that there is some controversy around this subject. It’s a complex and long-running issue, so we delved into the report to see what the Cabinet were being asked to consider at their meeting next week.
The paper aims to put an end to the dispute, stating that its purpose is to secure a sustainable future for Newport Harbour, regularise previous property decisions, clarify the extent of the harbour estate and to lay the foundations for the wider regeneration of the area.
Being sold off for development?
There have been plenty of rumours circulating around the Island that the council intend to sell off the land currently designated within the Harbour area for development.
There certainly has been a great deal of confusion arising from which parcels of land should be designated as part of the Harbour.
The council say that clarifying the Newport Harbour Estate will enable potential regeneration of parts of Newport Harbour and has the potential of delivering operational revenue savings within the harbour area and of delivering improved income.
Options being recommended
They say that the outcomes of this report will be:
- Previous freehold and ground leasehold disposal decisions are regularised,
- Existing leases on the harbour estate land for terms exceeding three years will continue, and
- The full extent of the Newport Harbour Estate is clarified.
Share your knowledge
We imagine that there may be a lot more to this than it appears. If you have background knowledge of the Newport Harbour do get in touch by emailing ([email protected]) or call us (898777).
We’ve embedded the paper below, for your convenience, so feel free to read on and let us know if you find anything that readers should be aware of.
Image: RonSaunders47 under CC BY 2.0
