PAPER B

Committee:   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING, TOURISM AND LEISURE SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE

Date:              29 MAY 2002

Title:               REGENERATING COWES - THE ROLE OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL AND ISLE OF WIGHT PARTNERSHIP

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR, CORPORATE AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

Both the Isle of Wight Partnership and the Isle of Wight Council as Local Planning Authority, have a key roles to play in the regeneration of our towns. The Council Executive recently approved a paper which laid down a general process that would be followed by the Council based on the approach followed at Ventnor (see attached paper - Appendix 1 for change).

BACKGROUND

The opportunities for change in Cowes are extensive and are illustrated in the summary document (Appendix 2). The main focus initially will be the future development programme for the former GKN north site and the former FBM site but other developments will also be important.

In considering how to drive forward the regeneration proposals in Cowes, officers of the Isle of Wight Partnership and the Isle of Wight Council are of the view that a Project Management approach should be adopted with clear responsibilities identified for the various activities which need to be undertaken. To do this work existing skills in the Council and the Isle of Wight Partnership will hopefully be supplemented by consultant support.

Ideally an overall masterplan for the future of Cowes should be prepared and SEEDA have indicated they may be prepared to help fund consultants to assist on the preparation of this. This plan with appropriate consultation could be adopted by the Council as Supplementary Planning Guidance. In parallel with this, detailed development briefs should be prepared for the major development sites by the landowners own consultants in association with the Local Planning Authority. A possible timetable incorporating these two elements has been included as Appendix 3. The timetable is optimistic in terms of timescale and could be considerably lengthened if the proposals are controversial.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Members views on the process and timetable are sought.

Contact:          Paul Airey, Policy and Environment Manager ☎4556

                       Mike King, Inward Investment Director, Isle of Wight Partnership ☎535353

M J A FISHER

                                                         Strategic Director

Corporate and Environment Services