As time starts to run out for hopes of an ice rink on the Isle of Wight again, the first phase of development of the Smallbrook Ice and Leisure Centre (SILC) has been submitted — for tennis courts.
Permission for the major facility, next to Smallbrook Stadium, was granted in December 2019, after support from hundreds of Islanders persuaded the Isle of Wight Council’s planning committee to go against officers’ recommendations to refuse the scheme.
The new indoor sports centre was approved to have an ice rink, multi-use courts, climbing wall, trampoline area and tennis courts.
Permission runs out in December 2022
The plans were welcomed by the community who had missed having an ice rink on the Island, however, planning permission for the much-requested rink runs out in December this year and there is no indication of an ice rink in the latest submission.
Plans have been submitted by Zyrieda Denning and Jasmine Sports, the backers behind the project, for the first phase of the sports centre’s development – but different to those approved.
Change to layout
The team is seeking to change the plans, altering the layout.
The new application (21/02199/RVC) is looking to build tennis courts and structures, with temporary access and limited parking, on the area originally designated as the car park.
It is unclear whether or not ice rink plans are to follow.
Objections to revisions
Two objectors have so far commented, with one saying it was an entirely new proposition than the ice rink and should be treated as a new application.
The other questioned the lack of information, including what were the other phases of the original sports facilities, saying there were a ‘great many’ tennis courts on the Island but no ice rink.
Seeking to have conditions discharged
Another application (21/02200/DIS) seeks to discharge conditions from the original major application for the sports centre, but in relation to the tennis courts.
They suggest the use of the tennis courts will be limited to a maximum of eight people at any one time and the courts would be open between 8am and 9pm.
Island Roads
Looking at both applications, Island Roads said it was unable to recommend discharging the conditions relating to highways.
The highways authority had previously objected to the main development and said its concerns still remain, seeking more information.
We have contacted a spokesperson on behalf of the developers, to clarify what their plans are with regards an ice rink.
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
