The Policy, Finance and Resources Committee are scheduled to meet to discuss a proposal for a sea pool at Yaverland, and to review the committee's workplan.

Yaverland Sea Pool Proposal

The committee will be considering a proposal from Isle of Wight Sea Pool for the construction of an eco tidal sea pool at Yaverland. Isle of Wight Sea Pool has requested a Letter of Intent from the council, as the landowner, to support their funding applications.

The report pack states that Isle of Wight Sea Pool has engaged with the public and received confirmation from Natural England that they would have no objection to the proposal in principle. The Environment Agency has also provided support for the project.

The proposed location for the pool is a 70-metre stretch of foreshore between two existing groynes and the sea wall within the G to H section of the Yaverland Sea Defences, adjacent to Culver Parade and opposite the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary.

The report notes that a letter of intent does not commit the council to any direct expenditure. However, it also notes that:

While Isle of Wight Sea Pool have undertaken an initial public consultation on the proposed project, it may not have been made sufficiently clear to the public, that it will result in the loss of beach space to existing users. This would need to be addressed by further public consultation at the next stages of the project should funding be obtained to progress with the proposal.

The committee will be asked to confirm its support in principle for the project and approve the Letter of Intent, which includes the following points:

• Continued dialogue between the Isle of Wight Council and IOWSP in the development of the sea pool.
• Support for appropriate funding bids to advance the project.
• Granting an exclusive lease of the identified site to IOWSP for a term of not less than 100 years, subject to planning consents, permissions, and confirmation of financial and environmental sustainability.
• Agreement on a mutually acceptable nominal rent.
• Support for the integration of the sea pool into the coastal defences, subject to all necessary design, permissions, planning, and funding being in place by 2028.
• Agreement with IOWSP and the Environment Agency on responsibilities for coastal and public realm assets, including a maintenance agreement within the project area.

Committee Workplan

The committee will be asked to review its upcoming programme of work. Items listed on the workplan include:

• Service Performance and Improvement (Q2) - 6 Nov 2025
• Update on the Budget Setting Process - 6 Nov 2025
• Island Planning Strategy Update - 6 Nov 2025 and 19 Nov 2025
• Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/27 (consultation results) - 8 Jan 2026
• Digital Strategy Update - 8 Jan 2026
• Street Trading Policy - 8 Jan 2026
• Budget and Council Tax Setting - 5 Feb 2026 and 25 Feb 2026
• Service Performance and Improvement (Q3) - 12 Mar 2026
• Land and Property Asset Disposal Policy (review) - 12 Mar 2026