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Project Cowes blueprint unveiled
Bold proposals for the redevelopment of the Isle of Wight's Medina Valley have been revealed by commercial property consultants, CB Hillier Parker.
Drawn up for a client group comprising the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership, Isle of Wight Council and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), the Strategic Framework for the regeneration of Cowes and the Medina Valley focuses on a number of key priorities.
These include improving the perception of East and West Cowes as two of the island's main gateways; strengthening Cowes' status as a worldwide centre of yachting excellence; improving transport links with the mainland and across the Medina; increasing the valley's contribution to island tourism generally and providing sites for residential and industrial expansion.
The Project Cowes plan also identifies five zones, which reflect the existing roles and activities of each area of the valley and the potential for these to be improved.
Zone One incorporates the town centres of East and West Cowes and provides the principal location for yachting related events and support facilities. It also features a range of pubs, restaurants, cafés and retail outlets, as well as being a major island gateway. The Red Funnel and Red Jet passenger ferry terminals are within its ambit.
Zone Two acts as a hub for a variety of water-based employment uses and Zone Three focuses on commercial shipping activity within the valley.
Zone Four is concerned with environmental policy and follows the length of the Medina River between Cowes and Newport. Of predominant concern in this area is the preservation and improvement of its considerable environmental assets, although the survey does refer to it including a number of isolated sites which have the capacity to accommodate important employment uses.
Finally, Zone Five relates to Newport Harbour, which is seen as a major opportunity to create a mixed use environment of employment, residential and visitor/tourism/arts related uses.
The Strategic Framework was put together with input from residents, businesses and key stakeholders and SEEDA is reported to have pledged a £10m investment programme to begin developments. Details: www.projectcowes.com