Opinions Remain Divided Over Controversial East Cowes Marina Plans

Plans for a new 145-berth marina in East Cowes continue to attract both strong support and opposition, with concerns remaining over the potential impact on the area's marine environment.

The revised proposals from Cowes Harbour Commission would create a leisure marina accessed from East Cowes.

Maritime youth charity UKSA has thrown its support behind the scheme, saying it could bring practical safety and educational benefits for its students and staff.

Cat Dixon, CEO of UKSA, told the Isle of Wight Council that the marina would allow students and instructors to spend more time on the water rather than travelling along the river.

She said it would also support the charity's work giving children and young people access to maritime education, outdoor learning and potential careers in the maritime sector.

According to UKSA, the development could also help make East Cowes a place where young people can access the water safely and regularly.

East Cowes Town Council has previously given qualified support to the plans, subject to a planning condition concerning the design of proposed metalwork.

The scheme has been designed by Rainey Petrie Architecture on behalf of Cowes Harbour Commission.

The architects have described it as providing “high-quality, resilient, modern marine infrastructure”, which they say would enhance the East Cowes waterfront and reinforce the town's maritime identity.

But environmental groups and local residents remain concerned about what they say could be significant impacts on the marine ecosystem.

East Cowes resident Susan Chubb has objected to the proposal, arguing that the development fails to properly account for the area's protected habitats.

She said the applicant had treated the marine environment as an “empty space”, despite what she described as “complex, protected ecology” within the seagrass and mudflats.

She also raised concerns about the absence of seahorse surveys and what she described as outdated acoustic modelling.

Another objector, Dr N. Foulkes, has called on the council either to reject the plans or require a full independent ecological assessment.

He cited the confirmed presence of seagrass and what he described as clear and documented risks associated with the development.

The Environment Agency is also objecting to the application.

It says that, at present, it cannot be demonstrated that the proposed development would not cause significant harm to migratory fish species.

The architects behind the scheme say environmental considerations have been incorporated into the design.

Their planning statement refers to measures including protecting sensitive marine habitats, using sustainable piling methods, reducing dredging impacts and installing downward-facing lighting.

Cowes Harbour Commission has also committed to measurable carbon reductions, while the marina has been designed with future sea-level rise and climate change in mind.

The Isle of Wight Council's public consultation on planning application 26/00159/FUL closes tomorrow, 21 August.

A decision is expected by 30 October.