A SANDOWN councillor is calling on the owners of several derelict sites in the town to meet with her and discuss plans to bring them back into use.

Cllr Debbie Andre, ward member for Sandown North and leader of the Island Independent Group, says enough is enough, and it is time to open a productive dialogue with the owners of The Savoy site, The Grand Hotel and Tarvic 2.

Cllr Andre intends to meet with them, together with planning officers from the Isle of Wight Council, to discuss a new way forward.

“We have a real opportunity now to plan a new way forward for our town as we move toward the recovery phase of the pandemic," said Cllr Andre.

"We all need to work together for the good of our community as a whole.

"I fully support local businesses who have had a tough time of it, which in turn has impacted heavily on the local workforce.

"Bringing these derelict sites back into a productive state is a key part of the regeneration of not just Sandown, but the whole Island economy.

“I want to open a new, productive dialogue with these owners, to see what innovative ideas we can look at so that everyone wins, and I strongly urge them to contact me to discuss with planning officers what might be possible.

"I would also encourage full public engagement once these discussions have progressed.

"These sites have been a blight upon the landscape of our town for too long and action is needed to restore the pride that we all want to have in our town.”

Last weekend, concerns were raised about the security of another derelict building ­— Sandown's Ocean Hotel ­— after residents reported trespassers onsite.

Read more: Trespassers reported at Sandown's Ocean Hotel

Read more: Dismay at lack of progress at prominent Sandown seafront sites

The Isle of Wight County Press has contacted the owners of the properties for comment.