Restoration of a Ryde landmark, popular for wedding proposals, is drawing closer with a planning application imminent.
The biggest obstacle facing the project to save Appley Tower, is the repair costs – if they spiral further it may hinder the scheme.
Plans for community use
Ryde Town Council and Natural Enterprise want to bring it back into community use.
An update on the tower, its plans and the future steps needed was given to Ryde Town Council on Monday, by Graham Biss, chief executive of Natural Enterprise.
Planning application underway
A planning application will be submitted shortly, Mr Biss said, to gain permission for the tower’s restoration as well as building four beach huts nearby as a form of income generation.
A feasibility study performed in 2019 estimated repairs would be in the excess of £220,000 although to get the tower in a good enough state to open it to the public, would cost £330,000.
It is hoped a successful bid to the National Lottery will provide £225,000 for the costs of repairs.
Other funders
Additionally, money has been provided from the Isle of Wight Council and Ryde Town Council, each putting forward £40,000, with the remaining bill to complete the project picked up by Natural Enterprise.
Concerns were raised, however, that the cost of repairs may have risen, and Mr Biss told councillors he was ‘slightly fearful’ it would be much more expensive to fix, which may take the costs above what could ‘reasonably be funded’.
A recosting exercise is currently underway to determine what the new cost could be.
Annual maintenance
As part of the operational model Natural Enterprise proposes for the tower, maintenance would be carried out each year so the tower does not fall back into a bad condition.
It would get the funds for maintenance from the rent it receives from the tenant proposed to run the day-to-day aspects of the tower, Monkton Arts, and to ensure the tower remains open for the next ten years.
Biss: Strong case for funding
The funding bid is yet to be submitted but Mr Biss said they have a strong case. He added that a letter of support from Ryde Town Council would be helpful.
Mayor of Ryde, Cllr Michael Lilley, said the people of Ryde have a particular affinity with the tower, as a popular spot for proposals, so if it was necessary a crowdfunding campaign could be another option.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is part of. Read here to find about more about how that scheme works on the Island. Some alterations and additions may have been made by News OnTheWight. Ed
Image: © Imageering – Emma Gee
