Cowes Harbour Commission Annual Report 2017-2018 | Page 20

As reported widely in the local media in March 2018 , the Harrison Trust ’ s plans to develop Medina Yard in Cowes were approved by the Isle of Wight Council Planning Authority . CHC and the Advisory Committee opposed the Harrison Trust ’ s hybrid planning application for a mixed-use re-development of Medina Yard for three fundamental reasons , due to the change of use from marine employment , the loss of industry and jobs , and deliverability .

The Medina Yard site , both historically and currently , provides Cowes and the Island with the best all-tide deep water access ; the proposed change of use from marine employment is against the Medina Area Action Plan .

CHC had also warned of the risks to Cowes and Island marine employment , with the real threat of thriving industry being lost to the mainland , exacerbated by the fact that the Council ’ s proposed alternative marine site at Kingston Marine Park was unlikely to be deliverable in the required timeline .

The deliverability of the Medina Yard development was also in question , with CHC commenting that the plans were not commercially viable , and risked sterilising the site for years to come .

At the planning hearing , strong objections were raised by CHC and harbour stakeholders . However , the Medina Yard application was approved on the condition that phases one and four of the development run parallel to preserve the marine industry at the site . This means that the creation of the marine employment space ( phase 4 ) will have to be given full planning permission before any work can begin at the site .

Following the approval of the application , CHC has reiterated and emphasised that as Harbour Authority for Cowes and regardless of this planning outcome for Medina Yard , CHC has a firm ongoing commitment to continue to work with all parties concerned . CHC ’ s priority is to maintain sustainable and deliverable marine employment sites and harbour facilities to enable both interim and long-term solutions for the Island ’ s shipbuilding and marine services capability within the Medina Valley .

Marine employment is central to the economy of Cowes and the wider Island , and it is vital that the retention of adequate waterfront employment sites is prioritised in order for the Island ’ s marine industries to reach their potential . CHC ’ s position is based on our strategic policy to promote and deliver sustainable harbour development policies to safeguard existing and support new business services , investment and employment .

CHC has been very proactive over the last 18 months and working with all the key stakeholders on this vital economic and employment issue for the harbour and the Island . The main stakeholders include , Wight Shipyard , Aluminium Marine Consultants , Isle of Wight Council , Homes England , Red Funnel and the Island ’ s MP Bob Seely .

There are three interlinked marine employment sites currently in various stages of development along the Medina Estuary ; Venture Quays on the East Cowes waterfront , Kingston Marine Park at Whippingham , and Medina Yard in Cowes . CHC had the opportunity to take Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely on a tour of the harbour in April 2018 to view these strategic harbour and current development sites .

The tour also provided an opportunity for Peter Morton ( Morty ), CEO at Wight Shipyard , to show MP Bob Seely their shipbuilding facility at Venture Quays and their current build of Red Funnel ’ s Red Jet 7 . Bob Seely confirmed his support for Wight Shipyard and stated that he was aware of the imminent risk to Wight Shipyard ’ s future on the Island . There is potential for the loss of over 150 skilled jobs if a solution is not urgently found to provide a secure facility on the Island to enable the company to continue to trade and grow their aluminium shipbuilding and repair business .

The delivery of the Homes England East Cowes development , including Victoria Quay marina by VQEL and the retention of Wight Shipyard and Aluminium Marine Consultants ( AMC ) on the Island , are now directly linked . This is because there is not a current and viable alternative marine employment site with the required water access available on the Island .