THE OWNER of Blackgang Chine is in talks to buy the car park at Blackgang Viewpoint — and has pledged parking will remain free.
Located at a popular beauty spot, the car park is owned by the Isle of Wight Council and was listed for sale earlier this year.
It is not yet known what Vectis Ventures, the company that owns Blackgang Chine and Robin Hill, plans to do with the site, but managing director Alexander Dabell this week told the County Press: "We have had some positive meetings with the council about the possible future of the viewpoint car park above Blackgang.
"Due process must now take place and it would be inappropriate for us to make further comments at this stage.
"However, I would like to say, if we do get the opportunity to invest in the site, parking will remain free and the spectacular 'Back of the Wight' will still be visible — subject to Blackgang fog!"
The council is set to agree terms with Vectis Ventures for the company's possible acquisition of the car park, and an agreement is likely to be in place by the end of August.
Any sale will be made under delegated powers.
Other property deals in the pipeline, as published in the council's forward plan this week, include the possible sale of Cowes Youth Centre to youth sailing charity UKSA, and the auction sale of Woodington, at Undercliff Drive, purchased by the council for a road rebuilding scheme that never went ahead.
Negotiations are also continuing over the sale of land at Ryde Business Park to Liz Earle. As previously reported by the County Press, the beauty company is looking to expand its business at the site, which could create up to 500 jobs.
Reporter: emilyp@iwcpmail.co.uk