The development of derelict Norris Castle has been branded a millionaires’ playground by East Cowes Town Council.
At its meeting last night (Thursday), councillors unanimously objected to the major development of the Grade I listed building into a luxury, five-star hotel, by the Norris Castle Estate Group.
The town’s residents also voiced concerns about the plans, raising issues such as proposed access to the site via East Cowes Esplanade, increased traffic, overdevelopment of greenfield sites and housing proposals.
Cllr Lake’s biggest concern, however, was potentially allowing access to the proposed housing on the Springhill Estate, next door to Norris Castle, and the developers then walking away, which would open up the land-locked site to further residential developments.
Cllr Cameron Palin said while he was supportive of protecting and restoring the castle, he was concerned the plans could cause long-lasting damage.
Images of Norris castle in its current state
He, and other councillors, questioned the viability of the scheme and the use of the public Esplanade to access the site, saying:
“They want to access Norris Castle and Springhill via our Esplanade.
"This is so they can access their multi-million-pound apartments, billionaire homes and the luxury spa you and I will never get a look at, let alone use.
“They will destroy the estate and turn it into a millionaires’ playground. I cannot support this application at all.”
Cllr Karl Love said:
“I would accept a small boutique hotel complex in that area, something which does not do the kind of damage this development would do.
"There is room for something there, but it has to be to scale.”
Martha James, of Plan Research, ECTC’s planning consultant, advised the town council to object to all but two of the proposals on which it would have to decide.
An official comment from ECTC will be submitted to the Isle of Wight Council.
To view the plans (21/02437/FUL and 21/02438/LBC), and comment on them, you can visit the council’s planning register. Comments can be submitted until April 8.
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