Marine Employment Sites
Solent Gateways
Harbour stakeholders have suggested a number of high-level strategic objectives for the proposed ECMP and Port Master Plan : To deliver marine elements of the ECMP and Cowes Outer Harbour Project . To create a world-class marine manufacturing and services hub in Cowes . To facilitate development of a fit-for-purpose ferry terminal in East Cowes to benefit the entire Island . To facilitate the development of a new marina and associated facilities on the Venture Quays site . To expand the established boat building and marine service skills on the Island and create highly skilled marine employment opportunities . To support training and apprenticeship opportunities for young people to enter the marine manufacturing industry . To support and facilitate the retention of commercial wharfs and deep water marine sites for the import and export of bulk commodities . To promote and facilitate investment into the Cowes marine sector . To further enhance the standing of Cowes as a world-class yachting location .
Consultations between the major harbour stakeholders and interested parties will continue on the requirements , principles , objectives , and funding requirements for a Port Master Plan and complementary East Cowes Marine Plan , with the intention of agreeing a draft timeline and way forward .
Marine Employment Sites
As stated in the objectives of the Cowes Harbour Commission Strategic Plan 2016-2021 , it is CHC policy to support the sustainable retention and development of waterfront marine employment sites . CHC recognises the vital importance of marine employment to Cowes and the Medina Valley , and continues to work proactively to ensure that Cowes maintains its marine employment , retains adequate marine employment sites , and strives for a long-term vision to ensure a sustainable future for the growth of marine-based employment .
CHC continues to work with key parties , both public and private sector , to ensure Cowes and the River Medina remain an attractive area to invest in and that they fulfil their potential in delivering first-class port facilities and leisure services and act as the main transport and shipping gateway supporting the Island ’ s economy and employment .
Kingston Marine Park
In April 2017 Cowes Harbour Commission submitted its support of the bid for Solent Local Enterprise Partnership ( SLEP ) funding for the provision of a new marine industry site with deep-water access at the Kingston Marine Park site in East Cowes , as proposed by the Homes and Communities Agency ( HCA ) and the Isle of Wight Council .
As a Trust Port , CHC has a duty to manage the harbour to the benefit of its users ( or stakeholders ). A considerable proportion of stakeholders are engaged in marine manufacturing and would benefit from the provision of a purpose-built site with deep-water access , which makes the Kingston Marine Park site a viable option for the location of larger marine industries .
Marine businesses need a choice of suitable sites in the Medina Valley to ensure that the relocation , expansion or creation of employment generating marine industries , is as unconstrained as possible , and makes the best use of deep-water access marine employment sites .
The facility at Kingston Marine Park , as planned , would provide good waterfront marine employment opportunities for both new and established businesses and if the conditions of consent , as provided by the relevant environmental bodies are adhered to , the site would have minimal impact on the environment .
CHC has , since February 2017 , commenced working towards the delivery of an East Cowes Marine Plan ( as part of an overall Port Master Plan ) that could assist with unlocking the new Red Funnel ‘ main ’ scheme on the Seaholme Yard area of Venture Quays , as well as progressing the VQEL Victoria Quay marina on the northern part of Venture Quays . Crucial to the successful delivery of these developments is the timely establishment of the Kingston Marine Park site , to enable the relocation of existing marine industry businesses from Venture Quays to Kingston Marine Park in order to ensure they can remain based on the Isle of Wight .
Solent Gateways
The Isle of Wight Council ’ s new Floating Bridge ( Chain Ferry ) is due to come into operation in mid-May 2017 , to ensure the future connectivity between Cowes and East Cowes for at least the next 25 years , and forms part of the wider Solent Gateways project . For the Island , the Solent Gateways project aims to : integrate transports links to and from the Island and across the wider area from Southampton , provide a vital tourism link , and to improve the public realm in East Cowes to make it a more welcoming destination . The £ 3.5 million floating bridge has been funded by the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership ( SLEP ).
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