Regeneration plans have been unveiled for the ‘neglected’ Victoria Barracks on East Cowes Esplanade as part of the £5.8 million ‘Levelling Up’ of the area.
In recent years, the building has been vacant and according to agents on behalf of the Isle of Wight council, ERMC is ‘neglected’, in a poor state of repair and unsuitable for occupation.
A new lease of life
The IW council has now submitted plans to its planning department seeking permission to restore and extend the Victoria Barracks, opposite Venture Quays.
The works would give the building a new lease of life, ready for potential new tenants UKSA to use as another base across the river from its Arctic Road, Cowes headquarters.
What the plans include
Under the plans, the barracks would house a common room, meeting area, sleeping accommodation, bathrooms, wash up area, laundry, storeroom, a canteen and kitchen.
A new single-storey extension would be tacked on to one end of the building, to facilitate the proposed new use, but tucked away so it would only be able to be seen by people on site.
A building of Island importance
ERMC say the proposals allow the authority to improve a building of local Island importance, improve learning and training facilities and increase business on the Island while keeping up with the demand for maritime learning.
The barracks were built in 1872 to accommodate guards for Queen Victoria.
British Hovercraft Corporation
It remained owned by the military until 1960 when it was sold to the British Hovercraft Corporation but is now owned by the IW Council, which was successful in securing funding for the East Cowes Waterside development.
Internally, the building has been altered through the years so few original features remain.
Walls and railings kept and restored
New ceilings and floors would be fitted, and the walls would be stabilised with internal steel bracing.
The walls and railings around the barracks would be kept and restored, as the Victorian railings are some of the last in the town.
The curve of the wall also includes a vitreous enamel artwork created by Michael Forest and fired by AJ Wells.
The majority of the others were used for ammunition during the Second World War.
View the plans
You can view the plans, 22/02168/FUL, on the council’s planning register.
The public consultation runs until 11th January.
The barracks were last used two years ago as a set on the Britbox show, The Beast Must Die.
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
Image: © Google Maps/Streetview
