DEVELOPERS BEHIND NORRIS CASTLE PLANS RESPOND TO ‘UNQUALIFIED STATEMENTS’ AGAINST THE PROJECT – Island Echo

Developers of abandoned Norris Castle in East Cowes have responded to criticism of the plans after the project was dubbed a ‘millionaires’ playground’.

The main planning request would see the Grade I listed castle transformed into a 5-star hotel, among other plans.

It was fiercely opposed by East Cowes City Council (ECTC) last week and resulted in a 12-page objection.

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Responding to concerns, Clynt Wellington, director of Norris Castle Estate Group, questioned some of the ‘unqualified statements’ made at the town council meeting – and on social media – and said the bid was now becoming a football Politics.

He said:

“This app is not political football, a supermarket app or a fracking site that can be denied without consequence, but an asset of national historic significance for which we have been trying to find a solution for seven years.

“We cannot proceed commercially unless we have a workable solution and have been fully transparent throughout, patiently and professionally responding to every request for additional information, no matter how unreasonable.

“We can’t do more and have run out of time with the buildings after 70 years of utter neglect in plain sight.”

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Among the concerns of East Cowes residents and councilors were the viability of the development, housing plans and access to the site through the public plaza and the increase in traffic that could result.

Following the meeting, which developers Norris Castle Estate Group (NCEG) did not attend and no requested statements were read on their behalf, they said they had hoped the app would talk about itself and that people wouldn’t listen to the “misinformation” being spread online.

Mr Wellington said the best consultants in the country had advised on the design of every element of the app and if there were any challenges to the app they should be done by equally qualified experts.

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Raising concerns about comments that the castle was not in as bad a condition as thought, Mr Wellington said registered structural engineers had said the repairs being ‘fixed and watched’ were undertakings on the building, at the behest of the Isle of Wight Council and Historic England, is ineffective and has nothing to do with the long-term solution required.

Mr Wellington said their proposals were the only viable long-term option needed to safeguard the heritage assets and retain the estate.

Traffic consultants are in talks with Island Roads, Mr Wellington says, to address concerns raised by the motorways.

Addressing housing issues, Mr Wellington said there was a need to maximize property values ​​so that fewer properties could be built, thereby reducing damage to the listed estate.

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