The paddling pool, Ventnor Esplanade *

Ventnor's paddling pool is popular with holidaymakers in the summer and is a safe retreat from the beach especially if you have little ones. There is a car park nearby and benches dotted about for use and with the adjacent railings encompassing some sides of the pool and provides a relatively 'safe' area for supervised children to play.

This is also a great sun trap thanks to Ventnor's warm and mild climate!

Despite public opinion and concerns Cheetah Marine's Planning application was unanimously passed on Tuesday 24th April at the County Hall, Newport.

 I still have the view that to put this at the very end of The Esplanade would have been a better choice of placement. This was suggested at the planning meeting but was rejected. Moving on - I hope the proposed building becomes an asset to The Esplanade and the local people of Ventnor in many ways.

This land was be sold by The Council despite public opinion against the sale and more importantly future developments on this site which is adjacent and close to the paddling pool.

Boating Lake in the 1970's:

This area although in recent years has been a necessary car park, it used to be the site of a boating lake and kiosk for public use as well as other stalls etc. To see how it used to look in the 1970's with the paddling pool much closer to the bridge and waterfall see this link to Readers Gallery.
 

Another view looking in the other direction towards the cascading waterfall down Cascade Gardens and the footpath down from The Wintergardens.

The area to be sold and is subject to planning applications is to the very right of this picture - the other side of the black railings of which two posts can be seen in the picture opposite.

Clearly enjoyed by children and adults in the summer the paddling pool is in the shape of The Isle of Wight with major towns and roads shown on the 3D shape.

View from The Bandstand looking towards The Wintergardens and the paddling pool on the far right.

This area is popular in summer and is a nice bit of 'open space' for public use.

To see the area concerned, revisions and basic plans as well as a supporting statement from Cheetah Marine - who wish to develop the land see:
http://www.iwight.com/council/departments/planning/appsdip/AppDetails3.aspx?frmId=13755

Comments seem to be no longer accepted online here regarding this although the proposal has recently been revised and is currently going through the application process again. The contents of the above Council link may be slow to appear.
 

Where to express your views:
However, it is possible to contact development@iow.gov.uk  or  Marie.Langford@IOW.gov.uk with your opinions about this matter and you should get a confirmation {I did} that your views will be considered as part of the determination process of the application. You can also contact the MP for The Island via email at mail@islandmp.com with your views.

Ventnor Blog has some details and updates of planning proposals in Ventnor as well as opinions and suggestions from members. You do not have to register or submit details etc to view, just go to FORUM at the top of the home page.
 

My View:

I am against the building proposal and selling of the land for this and similar purposes. I have read the plans, revisions, and supporting statement and there may well be something of good in there for Ventnor - if they were all to materialise after construction. However I am still against the proposal because of where it is and as a result what landscape views it will change forever if it were to go ahead.

There is however a similar plot at the very end of The Esplanade, why can this area not be used instead? A building there would not blight the views nowhere near as much and it would be a bit 'out of the way' so to speak.

Ventnor Esplanade has recently had quite a few planning proposals built upon; The Metropol Hotel site and the fish processing plant within the new harbour and prior to that The Bandstand {water treatment works} and new harbour. Enough is enough and if the residents and visitors to this charming place have had enough then the local councils ought to take note.