Public consultation on proposals for Cowes Harbour
A raft of proposals has been put forward with the aim of continuing the development of Cowes Harbour as a thriving port, a centre for leisure sailing, and an events venue and tourist destination.
A comprehensive consultation process is set to take place.
The Cowes Harbour Advisory Committee stakeholder representatives met last week to hear about and discuss several proposals, including an idea to combine Cowes Harbour Commission (CHC) and Cowes Town Waterfront Trust (CTWT), a potential application by CHC to the Charity Commission to register as a charity, and the requirements for a modernising Harbour Revision Order.
Cowes Harbour Commission’s Chairman, David Riley, says: “We believe the proposed combination of these two important Cowes organisations could assist our joint vision and help to develop a long-term plan for Cowes Harbour in partnership with our community and stakeholders to maximise the harbour’s potential and its vital central leisure and yachting gateway. The proposed new trust would continue to keep safety as our top priority but would also ensure that the potential new charitable status would operate proactively, raising and delivering funds into public benefit projects, to improve access and enjoyment of the harbour and adjoining waterfronts on both banks of the Medina.”
“Both existing organisations are run for the public benefit and return financial surpluses back to our local communities and stakeholders,” says Jeremy Dale, Chairman of Cowes Town Waterfront Trust, the charity which owns and operates Cowes Yacht Haven. “The idea is that, by combining our two organisations, we should be stronger together and more effective at providing and developing our leisure, yachting, visitor and event services for our customers, whilst also continuing to deliver our charitable objectives for our local community and for the enjoyment of current and future generations.”
Cowes Harbour Commission and Cowes Town Waterfront Trust are keen to understand views and receive comments on this initial stakeholder consultation. The proposals can be read online here at cowesharbourcommission.co.uk/consultation and cowesyachthaven.com/news.
