Future-proof main navigation channel: Obtain consents and deliver improvements in depth and width
of the channel. 2017-2018
CHC has gained all the necessary MMO (Marine Management Organisation) consents for the works. CHC plans to carry out
these dredging works in combination with the Eastern Channel works.
Floating bridge: Promote the requirement to increase navigation access and the importance of safety
management issues in the delivery of the Isle of Wight Council’s new fl oating bridge. 2017
Due to the ongoing issues with the chain depth clearance with the new fl oating bridge, this is a current and priority safety
issue for CHC. CHC is engaging with the Isle of Wight Council at Senior Executive and Member level to achieve a resolution
and restoration of previous navigable depths and clearances.
Cowes Outer Harbour Project (OHP)
CHC continues to fulfi l its commitments to the government’s
Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) led Outer Harbour
Project and has been ready to deliver Phases 2 and 3 of the
harbour infrastructure, a dredged Eastern Channel and Shrape
breakwater extension, since December 2016.
Since the last Public Meeting, there have been further delays with
the HCA, now renamed Homes England, and their developer
Victoria Quay Estate Limited (VQEL), such that completion of
the Harbour Infrastructure Funding Agreement (HIFA) has not
yet occurred. The agreed deadline for the HIFA to become
unconditional is 31st July 2018.
The latest update on this situation is that the 106 Agreement
between Homes England, VQEL and the Isle of Wight Council,
and issue of Full Planning Consent was fi nally completed this
May. The issue of the Full Planning Consent for the East Cowes
regeneration plan, including Victoria Quay marina, should now
enable Homes England to confi rm the unconditional agreement
and investment from their developer VQEL by the current agreed
date of 31st July 2018.
The ongoing delays have put at risk the opportunity to deliver the
Homes England planned new Victoria Quay marina, the Eastern
Channel dredge and Shrape extension within the next MMO (Marine Management Organisation) consented window from 1st
October 2018 through to the end of March 2019. The dredge of the Eastern Channel can only be done over the winter due to
the presence of the eel grass beds.
As a result of the completion of the Section 106 Agreement and subsequent issue of the Full Planning Consent, there has been
signifi cantly more communication, activity and stated commitment from Homes England and VQEL to meet the unconditional
agreement date of 31st July 2018. Based on this date and agreement being reached, it should still be possible for CHC to
contract the delivery of the Eastern Channel dredge for the MMO consent window this winter. The dredging contract this winter
will still be dependent on the dredging contractor having vessels available at the time CHC is in a position to place the contract.
CHC will continue to update stakeholders on progress through our regular E-newsletters.
Annual Report 2017 - 2018
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