Council approves sale of Ryde Harbour under delegated powers

The Isle of Wight council has approved the sale of Ryde harbour stating it could not afford to spend £1.3m of public money on major dredging and repairs.

A decision to sell the 27 year-old  harbour was made by Councillor Stuart Hutchinson, Member for Resources, under delegated powers on January 7 but no press statement was issued.

The council suggested selling ‘the loss-making’ harbour five years ago, with hopes  to secure its immediate future and to act as a ‘catalyst’ for the wider regeneration of the seafront.

Documents published back in 2013 proposed that the council should market the harbour as it loses £34,000 a year and would require dredging and maintenance work.

Jonathan Dent, the chairman of Historic Ryde Society, has raised concerns about the decision and fears the harbour could now end up being redeveloped for housing.

The council has also agreed to outsource the management of Ventnor Harbour.

It’s understood a small number of private sector investors and developers have shown interest in the harbours.

Story by the Isle of Wight Observer

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