A popular Isle of Wight attraction can plan for the future after concerns were raised it would ‘block’ the regeneration of Yaverland and The Bay area if a new lease was granted.
A five-year lease is now in the process of being signed for Browns Golf Course, between the Isle of Wight Council and new tenant, Paul Saville, who took over the attraction in the summer.
The decision to lease the attraction for five years came under fire recently from a group of councillors who feared it could ‘block’ the regeneration plans of the wider Culver Parade and Yaverland area as being designed in the Bay Place Plan.
Conservative councillors, Michael Beston, Paul Brading, Warren Drew, Tig Outlaw, Chris Quirk, Joe Robertson and Ian Ward, along with Labour’s Richard Quigley, said the site was central to the wider area’s regeneration.
Cllr Julie Jones-Evans insisted it would not do anything to harm the future of the area or jeopardise any plans currently being worked up as part of the Bay Place Plan.
Speaking at a meeting last week, Cllr Julie Jones-Evans, the cabinet member for regeneration, said she would not scupper the long-term projects in that pivotal part of Sandown which is why the council had written a six-month break clause into the lease.
She said they knew how long plans take to draw in funding so nothing was going to happen overnight, but in the meantime the very valuable, well-loved asset was open.
An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson has confirmed the approval of the lease for Browns is now going ahead and legal teams have been instructed to proceed as planned.
Cllr Chris Quirk, a Shanklin councillor, said Browns is integral to the Bay Place Plan and what happens with the site is key to lots of parts of the regeneration plan.
He said the lease decision was minor but it affected the whole Bay area and should have been discussed with the town and parish councils who are taking part in the Bay Place Plan.
Cllr Quigley withdrew his support for the challenge saying he was happy with the deal and it protects the site, allowing a business to operate there.
Cllr Debbie Andre, the ward member, said she was disappointed the lease had been questioned and stressed how important Browns is along Culver Parade and that it could run alongside the place plan.
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