The National Trust has announced plans to improve the visitor facilities at Compton Bay car park, as part of a wider investment in the Compton landscape.
This will include making the site more environmentally friendly, whilst updating the area to meet the needs of visitors.
What’s happening in the car park?
Working with Island-based designers, the plan is to change the car park layout, making it more accessible and safer.
The Trust will use natural materials to help mark out car parking spaces, and will improve entry and exit to the site, including improvements to visibility along Military Road.
Improvements
The plans include replacing the crumbling tarmac area with a new green space, so that people can use it to enjoy cliff-top views, and safely access the food and beverage areas, without the worry of moving traffic.
As
part of the investment, the car park will have an improved entry
point and a mini round-about will be created within the site to help
with traffic flow.
New toilets
As well as changes to the layout, the charity also plans to improve visitor facilities with a brand-new toilet block.
This has been carefully designed in a modular fashion, allowing it to be relocated if and when cliff erosion requires it.
Sustainability in mind
The design of the new block uses sustainable techniques to keep its environmental impact low.
This includes as little ground works as possible, and solar energy for lighting.
‘Changing Places’ cubicle
Inside there will be three unisex cubicles, a larger accessible WC, including baby change facilities, and a ‘Changing Places’ cubicle which has the highest standards of accessibility for those who need it.
Senior Programme Manager, Ben Savill said,
“We hope the improved facilities will encourage visitors to not only enjoy the beauty of Compton Bay beach, but also to explore the wildlife-rich Compton Downs area and to discover the work we are doing here to improve the land for nature.”
Will I still be able to use the car park?
The improvements are planned to take place during 2023, although this is dependent on planning approval, and will be carried out with as little disruption to visitors as possible.
The plan is to work in a phased manner to ensure the car park remains open throughout for everyone to access and enjoy, with full closure only required for a brief period to improve site access. There will be further communication around this nearer the time.
Find out more
You can find out more and follow the progress of the project on the National Trust Website.
If you’d like to share any thoughts you have on the project, either as a community group or individual, please email [email protected]
News shared by Rebecca on behalf of National Trust Isle of Wight. Ed
