Isle Of Wight East MP Brings Leaders Together To Kickstart Sandown Regeneration Effort

Isle of Wight East MP Joe Robertson has brought together local leaders in Sandown to push for renewed focus on regenerating the town amid rising concerns about its future.

The roundtable meeting, held at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, comes after months of worry that Sandown is being left behind when it comes to government investment.

While Ryde secured a £20 million commitment from central government in 2023, the latest “Pride in Place” funding round delivered no support for Island towns.

Mr Robertson says Sandown should be “top of the list” for national help due to its significant regeneration challenges.

Those attending the meeting included Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, Bay Business Association Chair Lawrence Bates, Sandown Mayor Alex Lightfoot and Isle of Wight councillor for Sandown South, Ian Ward.

The aim was to better coordinate efforts to champion Sandown at national, regional and local levels.

Mr Robertson said the issues facing the town are “obvious”, highlighting the condition of buildings, the high street, anti-social behaviour, poor educational outcomes and a high concentration of HMOs.

He also expressed concern that the Isle of Wight Council is “too slow” in its decision-making and does not see regeneration as its responsibility.

He added that while the forthcoming Mayor for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight could help unlock funding, those plans have been delayed by government for at least two years.

“By working better together locally, I believe we can begin to reverse recent decline and create new opportunities for the people of Sandown,” he said.

Sandown councillor and community advocate Ian Boyd, representing The Common Space, welcomed the renewed political attention.

“Sandown has so much potential for a new direction and new investment,” he said.

“Fixing Sandown will unblock wider Island issues.

"Whatever its problems, Sandown matters — to its community and to the Island — and a better future is possible.”

The group intends to meet quarterly and is encouraging residents, businesses and community organisations to share their views via Joe Robertson’s office (joe.robertson.mp@parliament.uk) or the Bay Business Association (info@thebaybusiness.org).