Isle Of Wight Festival Could Continue To Be Hosted At Seaclose Park Into The 2030s

The Isle of Wight Festival could continue to be hosted at Seaclose Park into the 2030s.

The Isle of Wight’s environment and community protection committee (ECPC) members will on Thursday (October 23) decide whether to agree terms for a seven-year extension to the Isle of Wight Festival Agreement (IOWFA), covering the period 2026-2033.

The recommendation in the officers’ report comprises a ‘further three-year option’ to extend the license up to and including 2036.

The land license between the Isle of Wight Festival (IOWF) and County Hall was approved by an Isle of Wight Council cabinet in 2023 and includes environmental obligations to protect the festival area and ‘promote sustainable practices’, according to a council officers’ report due to be presented.

IOWF cannot cause damage to trees inside the festival area and is required to manage the total removal of litter, waste and ‘any equipment or materials’ brought into the space, to be completed before the festival period finishes.

There is also a compulsory restoration process after each festival, with joint inspections involving IOWF and the council before and following the festival period to evaluate ground conditions.

It says:

“The Isle of Wight Festival is considered to have had a major economic benefit to the Island and has been staged annually since 2002 (except the pandemic in 2020).

“It provides worldwide profile for the Island as both a tourism destination and place to invest which if lost would be difficult to replicate.

“The event is estimated to be worth over £15m a year to the Island economy and introduces a new demographic of visitors to the Island many of whom will then continue to return both as festival goers but also long-term visitors with their family’s friends and relatives.

“Whilst the staging of the IW Festival is not necessarily supported by everyone, any adverse impacts on the local community have been mitigated over the years and a new long-term relationship will ensure that these plans will continue to be delivered and refreshed where necessary to ensure it continues to be a great event which benefits us all.”

The extended license would have several ‘minor alterations’ including bringing together under the same umbrella the festival’s use of the tennis courts at Seaclose and land at Newport Quay. 

Their usage has previously been permitted under separate agreements.

ECPC will meet at County Hall at 5pm on Thursday.