By Press Release
Up to a thousand new jobs in a creative industry could be created at Kingston Marine Park in East Cowes.
If delivered, the prospect of so many new jobs is likely to benefit the whole Island and comes after the Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet agreed last night to sell land it owns for development.
Cllr Julie Jones-Evans describes the opportunity as a “kick-start” in the Alliance administration’s plans to grow and support the local economy through cultural activities over the next 15 years.
Today, the cabinet member responsible for regeneration has outlined her belief in “cultural-led regeneration” in the IW Observer’s Cabinet Connection column (page 9). She says the new plans for the Kingston site build on the Island’s long history of inspiring artists and creative individuals, with the creative sector already responsible for a third of employment on the Island.
The cabinet agreed last night to sell the Kingston site to three unnamed but “well-known sector-leading figures with decades of experience”, two of whom live locally. They are said to want to move forward quickly with their development and employment plans for commercial reasons, outlined in a confidential document made available to the cabinet in advance of their decision.
The purchasers of the site, who have not yet been named, are set to announce further details of their plans, potentially as early as today (Friday). The council bought the long-vacant site in 2018, but using it for marine employment has proved impossible. According to the report prepared for the meeting last night, The Homes and Communities Agency, which sold the site to the council in 2018 for use as a marine business park, has been “unable to provide the river access needed”. Only 9.5 acres of the 16-acre site are considered suitable for development. The plans for the site include using solar and other renewable sources during construction and on-site electricity generation once the site is in operation. The report says that “extensive thoughtful planning of the undeveloped parts of the site” will contribute to the Island’s UNESCO Biosphere status.
The report adds: “The Island’s beauty is one of the main attractions for the developer to set up here.” Although the sale is subject to a change in planning permission, currently restricted to marine employment, planning officers have already been working with the developers and giving pre-application planning advice. As part of the deal, the council will retain the right to site a battery storage project next to the Kingston Power Station. The project would potentially store surplus energy generated from renewable sources.
Header pic: BBC LDN
