Southern Water project managers were “intransigent” and had “made up their mind” over the company’s Sandown Water Recycling plans during a meeting, an Isle of Wight councillor has claimed.
Planning committee and local ward member Councillor Debbie Andre told Sandown Town Council on Monday evening (January 26) she was yet to be convinced the proposals were the best option for the town.
Water Recycling Plant
The application includes the building of a Water Recycling Plant on land to the south of Sandown Wastewater Treatment Works, an outfall into the Eastern Yar and a pipeline from the facility to the Eastern Yar by Alverstone.
Opposition
Significant opposition has rallied against the bid, from residents, campaigners and stakeholders such as the National Poo Museum, Solent Protection Society, Save Our South Coast Alliance, Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Badger Trust Isle of Wight, Island Roads and Sandown Town Council.
However, a spokesperson for Southern Water said the Water Recycling Project is part of a series of schemes that will create ‘new drought-proof sources of water’, providing greater resilience for the Island.
Andre: It was very clear…they were intransigent
Councillor Andre told Sandown Town Council,
“I asked for a meeting with the national project managers for Southern Water and I was given that meeting online.
“It was very clear…they were intransigent, they had made up their mind – this is the way that they were going to do it – they’re on a tight timeline.
“But it will come to planning committee because it involves Isle of Wight Council land…I won’t be sitting on the committee because I will be speaking as the ward member.”
Could affect the International School of Rewilding
She said the area Southern Water wants could affect the International School of Rewilding, a proposal for a 140-hectare site with elk-rewilded wetlands and visitor facilities next to Sandown and added she was “yet to be convinced” the project was the best option for the area.
The Alliance group county councillor previously objected to Southern Water’s application.
Her criticisms included a lack of meaningful consultation with residents and collaboration with neighbouring businesses and the proposed plant design adversely affecting the immediate area and surrounding green space.
Lightfoot: “Completely untried and untested”
Sandown South town councillor Paddy Lightfoot said the process Southern Water is looking to use is not being operated in the UK and claimed it was “completely untried and untested”.
Southern Water in turn claimed water recycling is a “proven and safe” process which is “widely used around the world”.
Their spokesperson said,
“The Isle of Wight Water Recycling Project is part of a series of schemes that will create new drought-proof sources of water.
“These new sources will help protect Hampshire’s chalk streams, maintain supplies for our customers and provide greater resilience for the Island.
“The project will make the Isle of Wight more self-sufficient in its water supply and reduce reliance on the River Test on the mainland.”
SW: Creating new drought-proof sources of water
A spokesperson at Southern Water said,
“The Isle of Wight Water Recycling Project is part of a series of schemes that will create new drought-proof sources of water. These new sources will help protect Hampshire’s chalk streams, maintain supplies for our customers and provide greater resilience for the Island.
“The Project will make the Isle of Wight more self-sufficient in its water supply and reduce reliance on the River Test on the mainland. Water recycling is widely used around the world and is a proven and safe process that can provide a reliable, drought-proof source of water.
“We submitted a planning application in November 2025 for a water recycling project at Sandown on the Isle of Wight and it is currently being considered by the Isle of Wight Council.”
Article edit
1.54pm 30th Jan 2026 – SW comment added
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
