The Harrison Trust, owners of Medina Village – the site of last week’s devastating Cowes fire – has just issued an update. In their own words. Ed
The owners of Medina Village and Medina Yard, the Harrison Trust, have been liaising with businesses and the Isle Council, following the fire that swept through a series of industrial and storage units on Monday 25 January.
As previously reported, the fire started in a car repair workshop and was brought under control by the exemplary efforts of the emergency services. Subsequently, the fire investigation teams have confirmed that the fire was an accident.
Meetings with Building Control and Fire Safety Officers have taken place and local firms have been employed to carry out H&S assessments and to investigate the structural integrity of remaining buildings.
Medina Village now reopened
Medina Village has now reopened and health and safety on the site continues to be taken very seriously. As the demolition work to make the site safe is underway site access is being restricted.
One of the occupiers on-site, Cowes Carnival lost its tools, float and other equipment in the fire. They have now been donated another trailer to be converted into a float and this is being accommodated free of charge at Medina Village.
Grants awarded to community groups
In addition, applications have been made by the Harrison Trust on behalf of both the Cowes Carnival and the Cowes Rotary Club for charitable grants.
These applications have been successful and both organisations have been awarded £2,500 each to help replace items lost in the fire.
Planning application
Regarding the planning application, over the last three years the Medina Yard Regeneration Team has been working in close liaison with the local community to develop proposals for the regeneration of the site.
The team is now in the final stages of drawing up a planning application and the fire will not lead to any significant delays to the submission, which is expected to be made before Easter.
Following the submission the Regeneration Team will hold a public exhibition of the proposals in Cowes.
Image: © With kind permission of Allan Marsh
