Several shop owners on Pier Street, Ventnor are saying “enough is enough” and have clubbed together to have piles of rubbish removed from the former bus station.
There has been a persistent problem of fly tipping at the derelict site for many years, but over the last few months the problem has multiplied: old mattresses, plasterboard, bags of rubble, bricks and a range of other rubbish has found its way there.
Honeybourne: “It’s such an eyesore”
Debra Honeybourne from 26 Pier Street told News OnTheWight,
“We’ve got all these holiday-makers here and the first thing they see is that terrible mess. This is a beautiful seaside town and that’s the first view anyone gets.
“We’ve suggested putting up hoardings and getting local artists to paint murals to welcome visitors.
“It’s such an eyesore, something has to be done about it.”
Businesses have clubbed together
Those who have clubbed together to have the rubbish removed include; Pascale from Blue Labelle, Sarah from Wave Clothing, Kay from Fabulash, Jane and Andy from The Bistro, Sally and Barry from Everything is All Wight and Mel from Tintos.
Although they will be paying for a local clearance firm to remove the rubbish, they say the ongoing problem of persistent fly tipping at the site still needs to be addressed.
VTC has no powers of enforcement
If someone fly tips on private land, it’s down to the owner of the site to remove the mess.
Ventnor Town Council (VTC) tell News OnTheWight that they have no power to carry out any enforcement action against the owner of the site, who lives on the mainland.
The new Mayor of Ventnor, Cllr Stephen Cockett, told News OnTheWight he believed the situation “was ridiculous”.
As it had been explained to him, as the rubbish is on private land, as soon as you step on that land you’re trespassing and if you take anything from there it’s considered as theft.
Cllr Cockett said that the VTC could not instigate illegal action or encourage anyone else to do it. Adding that any person on the VTC could easily write 1,000 words on why the bus station should be cleared up, but that their hands were tied.
Cockett: “A wholly inadequate situation”
Instead, Cllr Cockett said VTC officers would continue their ongoing dialogue with IWC officers and he would be writing to Cllr Paul Fuller, the new Cabinet member for housing and planning, to explain the problem.
He said he believed the measures that were put in place “were completely inadequate” and that the Isle of Wight council needs to prosecute.
The Section 215 notice
The Mayor also explained that after a great deal of pestering, around two years ago the Isle of Wight council served a Section 215 notice on the owner.
This required the owner to act within 180 days, but Cllr Cockett said in cases likes this, nine times out of ten, a lacklustre job would be done on day 179. He said,
“It’s awful, the law is so weak. People need to speak to the MP and demand he goes to Westminster to have the rules tightened.”
News OnTheWight has contacted the Isle of Wight planning department about the Section 215 that was served on the owner of the site. We’re not able to get a quick response, but the team are working on getting replies prepared. We’ll update once we hear back.
Site remains unsold
The site – which has planning permission for two ground floor retail units and ten flats above – has been up for auction for sometime.
The lots did not sell when placed with auctioneers, Clive Emson (guide price £480,000 – £520,000), so was transferred to London auctioneers, Harman Healy. It has been in two auctions with the company (guide price £385,000+), receiving bids in both auctions, but remaining unsold. In the 2nd June auction, the highest bid was £405,000.
The auctioneers do say they are now are inviting offers on the site.
Actions of the IW councillor
News OnTheWight has also contacted Cllr Gary Peace (Con) last week, the Isle of Wight councillor for Ventnor West, to ask what actions he has taken over the last few years to get tackle the persistent fly tipping in the former bus station. We’ll update once we hear back.
Had the fly tipping been left on the pavement on not on private land, the problem would have become Island Roads’.
