OWNERS of the dilapidated Norris Castle in East Cowes are revising plans following concerns from the community.

The move comes after they shared frustrations about a lack of engagement from East Cowes Town Council, which they say is ongoing.

Plans have been in the making for a number of years to turn the Grade I listed building on the outskirts of the town, into a luxury hotel and resort.

Designs from Global Techincal Solutions (GTS) and the Norris Castle Estate Group were officially submitted to the Isle of Wight Council earlier this year but hit some snags when issues were raised.

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Isle of Wight County Press: The proposed hotel and its additional suites of rooms. Picture by Rumney DesignThe proposed hotel and its additional suites of rooms. Picture by Rumney Design

The application is now being held up until revised highway plans for East Cowes Esplanade are submitted following concerns from Island Roads.

The town council also shared its concerns including inadequate junction visibility, width and footway width.

GTS has come up with two different schemes, one of which would include a Copenhagen crossing and the other which would bend the access road but have to use a section of land leased from the IW Council to East Cowes Town Council.

A Copenhagen crossing gives priority to pedestrians at side roads, encouraging vehicles to slow down and give way to pedestrians when entering or exiting the side road.

The option to bend the access road was the preferred one, Clynt Wellington, of GTS, said, and they were asking the town council to clarify its position and which it would support.

In exchange for the land, GTS said it was offering mutual benefits including:

  • a legally binding covenant to prevent further development without the town council's approval
  • an agreement stipulating delivery routes and timings during construction
  • pay in part for the repair of the Esplanade and removal of landslip debris
  • provide technical and structural engineers to help find a solution to the Esplanade landslip issues
  • refurbish four acres of woodland to the town council's design and specification.

However, Mr Wellington says no preferred option was indicated by the town council so it is now going with the option of a Copenhagen crossing, so the planning issues can be resolved urgently.

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East Cowes Town Council said it informed Mr Wellington it had not changed its views from its original comments and would await the amended application before commenting further.

Mr Wellington has said the planning process has been seven years of frustrations and requires all stakeholders to decide the future of the nationally important asset.

He said it is in their interests to maintain a dialogue with the local community and carry out the benefits and address any local concerns.