By Isle of Wight Observer
A new charity is hoping to win a bidding war for the site of the former Yarmouth Primary School.
The Yarmouth-based Herapath Shenton Trust have partnered with Maritime Archaeology Trust (MAT) to create the Yarmouth Community Foundation to hold the site for community and educational use in perpetuity, should they be successful in purchasing it. Yarmouth Town Council is also bidding to buy the building and other interest was expected from developers.
The foundation has put in what they describe as “a substantial bid” to the Isle of Wight council for the school site. They say, if it is successful, they will consult and work with all members of the local and Island community to develop plans to deliver education, local needs, housing, jobs and community use in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.
The MAT currently runs the Isle of Wight Shipwreck Centre (SWC) at Arreton Barns. Their plans include re-locating this to the Yarmouth school buildings as an anchor tenant to help establish a new centre of excellence for UK Maritime Archaeology. Their plans also include social housing and education, cultural, small enterprise and community group use.
Their current proposals will be presented at an open meeting on Tuesday (Sept 19) at 7pm in the Community Hall of Yarmouth and District. The Maritime Archaeology Trust Discovery Bus will also be open for visitors at Yarmouth Harbour.
For further information go to iow.life/yct or contact ycf@maritimearchaeologytrust.org.