Sandown Carnival is looking for new home

The future of Sandown Carnival, one of the biggest on the Island, has suffered a major blow after it may have to relocate from its current home.

The site they use to build and store its float is owned by IW Council, on land off East Yar Road, Sandown, but it has been earmarked by Southern Water, who intend to apply for planning, as a base for its new water recycling plant.

Both the IW Council and Southern Water say they are trying to find the carnival a new home, should plans go ahead, and say they have another site in mind.

But Paul Coueslant, Sandown Carnival chairman, confirmed: “For around half a century, we’ve occupied a corner of the IW Council-owned site at East Yar Road to build and store our carnival float, a regular award-winner at parades across the Island each year.

“Sadly, with Southern Water’s plans to develop the site, it does look like we now face being homeless. As a non-profit community group run entirely by volunteers, the news comes as a real blow because we’re unable to afford an expensive relocation.

“We are in amicable discussions with Southern Water and hope they can help us find an alternative home. However, suitable sites aren’t easy to come by, and it’s a worrying time as we wait to see what the future holds.”

In a joint statement, spokesmen for Southern Water and the Isle of Wight Council said: “Southern Water’s plan to build a water recycling plant at Sandown will provide a new source of water for customers on the Island and reduce reliance on the mainland.

“Ahead of a public consultation and submission of a planning application next year, the company is currently in negotiations with the Isle of Wight Council to purchase the former East Yar Road municipal tip near Southern Water’s Sandown wastewater treatment works.

“If successful, Southern Water will be responsible for relocating any existing occupiers, including Sandown Carnival Association (SCA). The company is working closely with SCA to help them prepare for a potential relocation alongside the council, which has already identified an alternative base for the SCA to consider.”