Community Council’s Proactive Planning Enforcement Transforms Newport’s High Street

Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council has revealed that its financial support has seen a large section of Newport’s high street buildings restored, transforming the look and feel for residents and visitors alike.

The Isle of Wight Council’s Planning Enforcement Strategy allows parish, town and community councils to fund additional planning enforcement in their patch to target specific areas.

In the case of Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council, the priorities were buildings along Carisbrooke High Street and Newport High Street that were untidy and falling into a state of disrepair.

With the extra capacity, the Isle of Wight Council has been able to work with property owners and occupiers to tackle over 50 untidy buildings.

This partnership approach has seen 39 buildings being successfully restored through remedial works, with many more lined up for the same treatment.

There has also been a ripple effect, where properties are now being restored without the need for intervention from the Council.

The improved visual appearance of the high street has been positive and such changes are known to help improve civic pride and wellbeing too.

Councillor Paul Fuller, cabinet member for planning, coastal protection and flooding, said:

“The success of proactive planning enforcement action in Newport has been wonderful to see.

“It is positive to see landowners voluntarily taking measures to maintain and restore their buildings and shop frontages.

“Using proactive planning enforcement action to restore the appearance of buildings will help regain a sense of community and respect for the town which will hopefully create a socioeconomic benefit by drawing business back to the high street.

“This change will not only be visible to local residents, but to visitors and tourists visiting the Isle of Wight.”

Councillor Vix Lowthion, chair of Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council said:

“The visible improvements in our town centre and beyond have been remarked upon by visitors and locals alike.

“Our community council could only achieve these results through working in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council, who have listened closely to the priorities of local ward councillors throughout.

“I know I can speak for us all when I say it has certainly been money well spent."

Any parish or town councils who are interested in joining Lake Parish Council, Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council, Ryde Town Council and Sandown Town Council in funding additional planning enforcement capacity for their area should contact enforcement.team@iow.gov.uk.