Last year, Ryde Town Council agreed to fund the work of an Isle of Wight Council Planning Enforcement Officer to increase capacity for work on a number of planning issues in the town. This Enforcement Officer made contact with the owner of Ryde Town Hall in 2024 to inform him that urgent works on the building should be carried out or formal legal proceedings by the Isle of Wight Council would follow under s215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
Regular monitoring by means of site visits was agreed between the owner and the Isle of Wight council staff with the understanding that any subsequently identified necessary works would be undertaken by the owner.
Friends of Ryde Town Hall (FORTH) is pleased to report that Isle of Wight council staff met with the owner last month and were given unrestricted access to the entirety of the building.
A number of works have now been completed to prevent further water ingress and actions have been taken to make the building more secure from break-ins including boarding up of windows and fencing to prevent access to the rear fire escape.
Plan to prevent further deterioration
Along with documenting the interior and exterior condition of the building, a plan was discussed to prevent further deterioration.
Regular monitoring by means of site visits was agreed between the owner and the Isle of Wight council with the understanding that any subsequently identified necessary works would be undertaken by the owner.
FORTH Chair, Zoe Barker, said,
“This positive news will bring relief to so many concerned residents who have seen this much-loved local landmark neglected for far too long.
“However, while limited repairs will help the structure survive another Winter, a way forward for this building remains unclear and politically complicated. FORTH will continue to monitor the situation and keep the public informed of further developments wherever possible.”
A resident-led advocacy organisation
Friends of Ryde Town Hall is a resident-led advocacy organisation working hard since November 2021 to see Ryde Town Hall restored and re-opened to the public.
You can find out more on their Facebook page – Friends of Ryde Town Hall.
You can also contact them at [email protected]
Article edit
9am 15th Jan 2025 – Headline and first para amended and reference to council staff made clearer.
News shared by Zoe on behalf of Friends of Ryde Town Hall. Ed
