Bembridge Harbour.
POWERFUL ministerial backing has been given to a community trust’s ambitious bid to buy Bembridge Harbour.
At a meeting in the House of Commons, ports minister Mike Penning pledged to do all he could to secure responsible new ownership of the harbour.
The meeting, at the request of Island MP Andrew Turner, involved members of the Isle of Wight Council, Bembridge Harbour Trust and the Bembridge Harbour Users’ Group.
It came more than a month after news the harbour management company, Bembridge Harbour Improvement Company, had been placed in administration by its bankers.
Trust chairman Michael MacInnes said: "We are ready to take up the challenge and put right years of neglect and restore the harbour to its former state as a sailing, bird watching, fishing, walking centre or just a place of natural beauty for everybody to enjoy."
The meeting was told powers available to the secretary of state and Isle of Wight Council under the Pier and Harbour Order (Bembridge Harbour) Confirmation Act 1963 meant they could approve new owners and step in should there be mismanagement.
Mr MacInnes said: "The minister noted the powers under the act had never been tested. However, his department was sufficiently concerned about the harbour’s future that they would now prepare themselves to be ready to act once the harbour company’s administrator has decided how to conduct the sale.
"The Department for Transport will be writing to the administrator noting the department’s necessary interest in the suitability of the new owner.
"The minister said he understood the need to protect this vital asset for the local community. The Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet member for transport, Cllr Edward Giles, said the Bembridge Harbour Trust was considered to be an ideal local body to run the harbour," said Mr MacInnes.
Mr Turner said: "The thorny issue of the future of Bembridge Harbour has been batted back and forth between the Isle of Wight Council and the Department for Transport under previous administrations.
"I am delighted that the new minister has indicated he would be ready to act should he need to."
Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk