Large parts of the site have remained derelict for some time and will be remediated and serviced to provide improved infrastructure for companies requiring waterfront access.

The site is surrounded by a landscape of considerable ecological sensitivity and has significant potential for both employment creation and environmental enhancement. It forms an important part of the wider strategy or the island’s marine industry, and as one of the few brownfield sites with river frontage on the Isle of Wight, opens up opportunities for further enhancing the marine sector.

LDA Design has been appointed as both planners and master planners, and will be taking the site through to the submission of planning permission. The company is experienced with waterfront sites, delivering mixed use schemes for such locations.

The Cowes Waterfront Initiative aims to strengthen the island’s position as a centre of excellence for the composites and special marine sectors by providing the resources and infrastructure that businesses need.

SEEDA has also purchased RAF Hythe, which its regional marine initiative Marine South East sees as a major step to relieve the pressure on marine companies looking for suitable sites on which to expand and develop their businesses. SEEDA is committed to seeing the site retained for marine industry use.

Jonathan Williams, chief executive of Marine South East said, ‘We are delighted to see this superb waterfront site safeguarded for marine employment and wealth creation. However, through the Waterfront Strategy, which we have been working on with SEEDA, we need to ensure that marine companies continue to have priority access top sites such as these.