A DECISION to sell Ryde Harbour has been called back to County Hall for further discussion.

Last week, residents clashed with the Isle of Wight Council over plans to sell the harbour, which was made alongside a decision to transfer the management of Ventnor Haven harbour to a third party.

Now, Cllrs Michael Lilley, Ian Stephens, Karl Love and Andrew Garratt have called the decision back before the scrutiny committee.

According to the official notification, the decision to call this back was made due to “inadequate consultation with stakeholders, partners and the public”, an “absence of evidence” and because the decision was contrary to policy framework.

Cllr Lilley, who led the call-in, said: “Residents of Ryde are starting to feel that their wishes are being totally ignored.

“Part of my job as a councillor is to be receptive to what the community feels and Ryde community feels very angry about this.

“The council should consult with the community first and instead they have just gone through with it.”

When notice of the impending decision was first announced in December, Ryde Town Council registered a formal objection to the plans, via email.

However, this was not acknowledged and the decision to sell the harbour was made by deputy council leader, Cllr Stuart Hutchinson, on January 7.

It was made by delegated decision, with no formal scrutiny or oversight by other councillors.

The Isle of Wight Council has said Ryde Harbour will require £1.3 million investment and Ventnor Haven continues to operate with a net deficit of £65,000, which includes £75,000 per annum cost for the removal of seaweed.

The decision to sell Ryde Harbour comes with a restrictive covenant that future owners retain it as a harbour, unless an alternative use of the area could generate a “significant and sustainable economic benefit to Ryde and/or the Island”.

The decision will go before the scrutiny committee at its next meeting, on February 12.