A beach sports arena, saltwater pool, and re-wilded glamping could all be coming to an Isle of Wight seafront as part of major regeneration plans.
After plans were scrapped to build a major £33 million dinosaur-themed amusement park, new ideas are being worked up for Culver Parade and Yaverland by the Isle of Wight council.
Bacon: A lot of positivity
A stakeholder meeting was held earlier this month which Councillor Jonathan Bacon, the finance, climate change and biosphere lead, said was exciting with a lot of positivity on how partners can work together to take forward the future of Browns Golf Course, Dinosaur Island and the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary.
Speaking at a council cabinet meeting yesterday (Thursday), he said it would also include some more original ideas, like a saltwater pool and a beach sports arena which had been championed by Community Action Isle of Wight.
Diversifying income
The Wildheart Trust is also hoping to expand and diversify its income, turning some of its land into a rewilded glamping facility, which would allow guests to immerse themselves in wildlife and connect with the biosphere.
The plans would also incorporate the work needed on sea defences at Yaverland, which the council says could be breached within the next five to ten years.
Looking at options for the next 100 years
The Victorian sea wall and groynes are coming to the end of their lives and require regular ongoing patch and repair maintenance, the authority said.
It is looking at options for the next 100 years but hopes to start initial projects in the coming years which could extend the life of the coastal defences by 30 to 35 years.
Peacey-Wilcox: Important to keep area free to use in perpetuity
Leader, Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox, said they needed to be ‘clever’ with what they are planning but it was really important to keep the natural area for Islanders to hopefully use for free in perpetuity.
She said it was a very special piece of land which dinosaurs and Romans had walked on and it needs to be treated sensitively.
Document being drafted
A document is currently being drafted which will set out the vision for the area and an action plan on how it can be brought forward.
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
Image: engin akyurt under CC BY 2.0
