Cowes Harbour Commission Annual Report 2017-2018 | Page 21

This situation has come about due to a number of reasons, including ongoing challenges and delays for the Kingston Marine Park site. The AMC building will be demolished in February 2019 to facilitate the Red Funnel development and Wight Shipyard are currently required to leave the Columbine building by May 2019. With no alternative Island marine site or facility, this situation will result in either the need for Wight Shipyard and AMC to relocate to the mainland, or close down their businesses with up to 150 marine jobs lost. It could also prove to be terminal for shipbuilding on the Island. As a result of this very serious position, CHC has engaged with all the relevant parties and following lengthy discussions and considerations, written to Homes England stating the requirement for urgent action and their continued shared responsibility to deliver both interim and long-term sustainable shipbuilding and marine facilities on the Isle of Wight. CHC has stressed the importance of confi rming the investment and delivery position of the East Cowes and Victoria Quay marina within the agreed deadline of 31st July 2018. CHC has also provided outline proposals to Homes England based on two scenarios, the investment and delivery of the East Cowes plan including Victoria Quay marina by their developer VQEL, and secondly if for any reason the VQEL delivery does not occur within the agreed timeline. Both CHC’s scenario proposals aim to deliver several high level objectives for the harbour and Island, including the priority of maintaining Wight Shipyard and AMC shipbuilding and jobs on the Island. CHC will continue to update stakeholders on progress through our regular E-newsletters. L - R: Capt. Stuart McIntosh and MP Bob Seely Kingston Wharf in East Cowes A new opportunity for marine industry on the River Medina has recently arisen at CHC’s Kingston Wharf site in East Cowes, for the rental of 1.5 acres of prime waterfront storage land with all-tide deep-water access and wharfage. The availability of this strategic marine employment site has come about as a result of the decision by current tenant Isle of Wight Aggregates to consolidate their operations at Medina Wharf. CHC is very keen to see the Kingston Wharf site continued to be used as a traditional cargo wharf or for marine based employment to the benefi t of Cowes Harbour and the Island as a whole. A new tenant is now being sought that can benefi t from utilising the wharfage and the potential opportunity of the land and all-tide wharf access. Kingston Wharf adjoins the CHC owned Cowes Harbour Services Boatyard. The available wharf area comprises a level site totalling approximately 1.5 acres. The south and north boundaries are fenced and the eastern boundary comprises an embankment, with fencing above. The western edge of the site comprises the river wharf, which is 60 metres in length, with a water depth of circa 2 metres below chart datum. In addition to its direct river access, the site adjoins a bespoke hoist dock, which is served by the Boatyard’s 40 tonne travel hoist. The wharf was last used for the import and processing of aggregate and the existing planning permission is for this use. The Local Planning Authority has indicated that they would view favourably applications for a change of use to alternative marine based employment uses and/or development. Interested parties are encouraged to view the Kingston Wharf letting particulars on the CHC website and to discuss their intentions with property consultants Vail Williams who can provide further guidance. Annual Report 2017 - 2018 21