Cowes Harbour Commission has submitted a planning application for a new 145-berth marina at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
The commission says the marina forms a key component of the ongoing regeneration of East Cowes and will strengthen the town’s role as a regional centre for maritime activity.
The plans comprise 145 floating berths arranged across pontoons, a 142 metre fixed access walkway spanning the seawall and a main pontoon area measuring 120 metres by 220 metres, adjacent to the East Cowes Esplanade and the UKSA sailing academy.
The marina is intended for a 50/50 mix of annual and visiting berths, providing year-round activity and public accessibility.
It would support a wide range of leisure craft and would fulfil requests for larger vessels and superyachts.
50-year design life
The marina configuration has also been designed to allow for future adjustment, expansion, or changes in berth mix if required.
In its application, the commission states that there is currently a waiting list for walk-ashore berths and a need for improved visitor facilities.
The commission also notes that there are gaps in water-taxi and mooring services and harbour-wide need for additional capacity and improved marine infrastructure.
The marina has been designed with a 50-year design life, incorporating updated tidal and sea-level projections to ensure resilience over its operational lifespan.
Modern marine infrastructure
“The proposed marina delivers high-quality, resilient, modern marine infrastructure that enhances the East Cowes waterfront and strengthens the town’s maritime role,” stated the planning application.
The marina will also offer ‘improved public access, and stronger integration between land-based and water-based activity’.
The marina will cover approximately 2.723 hectares, including pontoons, basin, manoeuvring space and landside interfaces.
Features will include a ramp and stepped public access point, secure gated access, lighting and services and a pump-out system.
Dredging has already been carried out to increase the seabed depth, ensuring suitability for larger vessels and improving harbour navigability.
