Toilet Block Sale, Wedding Venue Licence And Winter Gardens Decision Among Key County Hall Updates

Backing the sale of a toilet block in a key tourism area for £1, granting a licence to a wedding and events venue and closing an enforcement case into the Ventnor Winter Gardens.

These were among County Hall’s most significant decisions reported in June, respectively involving councillors on the policy, finance and resources (PFR) committee, a licensing subcommittee and council officers.

On June 10, the local authority told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) its planning enforcement team has worked with the Winter Gardens’ landowner to address the building’s visual condition.

A spokesperson said the owner has been ‘cooperative’ and carried out all works requested by the council, with ‘visual harm’ now ‘resolved’.

They said that as a result, formal enforcement action has not been required.

The following day, PFR members voted for a recommendation to dispose of the Pier Street Regeneration Opportunity, opposite Sandown Pier, to Sandown Town Council (STC).

The proposal from an officer report was to transfer the site’s freehold to STC for a ‘nominal £1’, subject to ‘due diligence’ and conditions ensuring continued provision of public toilets or their ‘suitable replacement’.

County Hall said the building has long been identified as a key regeneration opportunity, but investors have faced ‘ongoing delivery challenges’ in recent years due to the cost of potential public realm improvements and the requirement to maintain public toilets.

On June 16, a licensing subcommittee approved a premises licence application for Commodores House at 74 High Street in Cowes, despite noise, nuisance and safety fears.

The decision was subject to conditions including a CCTV system being installed, maintained and in operation at all times that the premises are open to the public, outside signs instructing patrons to respect neighbours, and always operating in line with a written and approved noise management plan.

A premises licence authorises the use of premises for the sale or supply of alcohol, the provision of regulated entertainment and late-night refreshment, issued under Section 18 of the Licencing Act 2003.