Council Could Make £250,000 From Sale Of Former Sandown Tip

The Isle of Wight Council could receive £250,000 from the proposed sale of a former municipal tip in Sandown.

The policy, finance and resources committee will meet on Thursday (February 5) to consider selling the site next to East Yar Road to Southern Water.

The sale would support the company’s controversial Wight Water Recycling Project, aimed at boosting the island’s drinking water supply.

Councillors are set to decide whether to recommend the disposal to full council on a conditional basis, subject to Southern Water securing all necessary consents for the scheme.

Sandown Town Council has expressed concerns over the plans. Councillor Debbie Andre told the town council she felt project managers from Southern Water were “intransigent” and had “made up their mind” on the proposals, and she is not yet convinced they are the best option for the town.

A committee report states that the project is designed to increase the Isle of Wight’s drinking water supply by 8.5 million litres a day.

It adds that while the council could refuse the sale, doing so “would do nothing to support the delivery of a more resilient supply of drinking water… and would likely damage the council’s reputation.”

The committee meeting takes place at 5pm at County Hall.