A MAJOR new regeneration programme designed to bring investment, jobs and prosperity to the Isle of Wight has been unveiled by council bosses.


The ten-year programme, due to be looked at by the Isle of Wight Council’s executive next Thursday, identifies 11 significant regeneration sites in Newport, Ryde, and the Bay area including some where the authority is the landowner.

The council believes projects in these areas are the most deliverable and will have the greatest impact on the Isle of Wight’s financial challenges.

In addition to the 11 sites, the council will continue to support existing regeneration activities including those at East Cowes, Dinosaur Isle, and with housing associations.

Last week, the County Press revealed that bosses on the Isle of Wight had won £50,000 of government funds to help the authority make better use of publicly owned land assets.

The cash will be used to draw up a bid to secure £500,000 from the government’s One Public Estate programme which is designed to help public sector organisations make better use of their land.

The council’s executive member for regeneration, housing and homelessness and transport, Cllr Julia Baker-Smith said: "We are determined to bring fresh investment and create wealth and bring many more jobs to the Island to ensure we have a bright and sustainable economic future."

The executive is being asked to adopt the regeneration programme, which highlights the potential financial benefits in the development of the 11 sites.

The report to the executive also recommends negotiating the acquisition of employment land from the Homes and Communities Agency at Kingston Business Park, East Cowes, and the Island Technology Park, Whippingham.