Parish councils meet to discuss Bay Place Plan

The three Parish Councils of Sandown, Shanklin and Lake met on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming Bay Place Plan consultation work.

The aim is to work closely with residents, businesses and visitors who share a common interest and would benefit from an approach that unifies them, while celebrating their unique characteristics and the economic, social, and environmental challenges and the opportunities in each location.

The consultation activities will be delivered by the tri-consortium of Feria Urbanism, Støriie and the Place Bureau who together presented an exciting and inspired consultancy application to the project board earlier this year.

Councillor Paddy Lightfoot, Mayor of Sandown said: “It’s really good that we’re all working together.

“It has been long overdue and we’re going to work hard to engage with our local communities.”

Councillor Paul Brading, chairman of Lake Parish Council said: “We’re delighted to be able to present the idea of the Place Plan to all our councillors and it’s brilliant that all councils are working collaboratively to bring it forward.

I look forward to working with the consultants while they shape the plan for the future and help to deliver the recommendations from the final report. This will undoubtedly be a big step forward for the Bay area.”

Councillor Chris Quirk, Mayor of Shanklin said: “The Bay Place Plan is essential for several reasons; namely, to give direction to the economic development of the area and to put us in a position to apply for central government funding to deliver on those aspirations.”

Councillor Julie Jones Evans, cabinet member for Levelling Up, Regeneration, Business Development and Tourism said: “being able to use the place planning approach for regeneration means local people and businesses have real influence over shaping their places.

We've seen this approach bear fruit in Ryde and Newport, where most importantly the distinctiveness of each place is recognised.

Seeing the three local councils working together on the new place plan is an important milestone for the island’s regeneration programme and the residents of the Bay.”

A three-day residential “think space” will be held on the island in July, when it is anticipated that a significant number of stakeholders will exchange ideas in the quest for a shared vision through workshops, creative activities, and walking tours.