PLANS to redevelop the former Camp Hill prison site have taken a step forward after Isle of Wight Councillors met with Justice Secretary Liz Truss this week.
The meeting, organised and attended by Isle of Wight MP Andrew Turner, also included discussions about Conservative proposals to create a One Island - One Service public services hub and other regeneration ideas.
Last month, Liz Truss responded to a question from Mr Turner about the regeneration of Camp Hill site by saying she would tell officials dealing with the issue to get on with it.
In a statement issued after yesterday’s (Tuesday) meeting, Isle of Wight Council leader Cllr Dave Stewart said the Secretary of State had indicated support for part of the land to be used to ease parking problems at Hunnyhill Primary School.
He was accompanied by deputy council leader Cllr Stuart Hutchinson, Parkhurst Cllr Richard Hollis and Isle of Wight Council regeneration officer Chris Ashman.
Cllr Stewart said: “We are delivering on our commitment to the Island through economic growth, supported by our MP and Government Ministers. Andrew also raised the question of development of the public sector hub with the Secretary of State Sajid Javid in parliament this week and was thanked by the minister for arranging his visit to the Island last week as well as expressing his support to progress the public sector hub idea.
“This is good news for a Conservative-led administration, who are now regularly engaging with ministers about the future of the Island. If elected in May, we will take all these proposals forward and we will be pushing hard for the Island to achieve its own Enterprise Zone status as suggested by the minister.”
In February the council received a £250,000 government grant to develop plans to make the most of public land, through the government's One Public Estate initiative.
Last August the County Press revealed the Isle of Wight Council's then Independent leadership was exploring the possibility of a garden village on the site of the prison.