Further to the public consultation held last year on the future of unused parts of Osborne House, this in from Andrew Turner’s office. In their own words. Ed
Provisions within the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, which will give greater freedoms to English Heritage to put the former King Edward VII convalescent home at Osborne House to alternative use, passed through the House of Commons this week.
The Island’s MP Andrew Turner, who spoke in favour of the amendment said: “This is significant progress towards a new future for this important part of Osborne House. There are still a number of stages to go through before the Bill becomes law; but at present I don’t anticipate any problems. The unused parts of the House are currently costing English Heritage around £60,000 a year to maintain – so as well as breathing new life into this important visitor attraction that money will be better used.”
Restricted by the Osborne Estate Acts of 1902 and 1914
The part of Osborne House formerly used as a convalescent home was restricted by the Osborne Estate Acts of 1902 and 1914 to be used for the benefit of service people, their families and senior civil servants.
That severely limited opportunities to attract those who could make use of the home and with the costs of upgrading it to modern standards being prohibitive, the convalescent home closed in 2000. That part of the building has remained unused ever since.
English Heritage delighted the amendment passed through the House of Commons
Mark Pemberton, Director of National Collections at English Heritage also welcomed the development: “English Heritage is delighted that the amendment to the Osborne Estate Act passed through the House of Commons this week. Although it still needs the support of the House of Lords and Royal Assent this is a significant milestone and we are enormously grateful to Andrew Turner MP for his support in gaining this amendment.
“Over many years Andrew has worked with English Heritage to find a new use for the former Convalescent Home – impossible without the amendment of the Act. We look forward to working with him and the community who hold Osborne in such great affection to bring this important part of the Isle of Wight’s heritage back to life.”
Mr Turner said in the House of Commons: “I am grateful to the people of the Island who have worked so hard and assiduously to ensure that Osborne house, the jewel in the Island’s crown – indeed the jewel in the nation’s crown – will have a suitable role that recognises its historic past and looks forward to a unique and exciting future”.
Matthew Hancock MP, Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills welcomed the passion with which Mr Turner spoke on this subject.
Image: Amanda BH Slater under CC BY 2.0
