PLANS for the development of Cowes Harbour are now out for public consultation — including proposals for two bodies to become one and a charity application.

Stakeholder representatives for the Cowes Harbour Advisory Committee met today (Friday) to discuss several proposals for the harbour in order to assist the continuing development into a thriving port, event venue and tourist destination.

Ideas include combining Cowes Harbour Commission (CHC) and Cowes Town Waterfront Trust (CTWT), a potential application by CHC to the Charity Commission to register as a charity, and the requirements for a modernising Harbour Revision Order.

The meeting of the stakeholder advisory committee for Cowes Harbour is the first phase of a comprehensive consultation process with all the stakeholders of both organisations, including customers and local communities.

Chairman of the CHC, David Riley, said: "We believe the proposed combination of these two important Cowes organisations could assist our joint vision and help to develop a long-term plan for Cowes Harbour in partnership with our community and stakeholders to maximise the harbour’s potential and its vital central leisure and yachting gateway.

"The proposed new Trust would continue to keep safety as our top priority but would also ensure the potential new charitable status would operate proactively, raising and delivering funds into public benefit projects, to improve access and enjoyment of the harbour and adjoining waterfronts on both banks of the Medina.”

Jeremy Dale, chairman of CTWT, the charity which owns and operates Cowes Yacht Haven, said: “Both existing organisations are run for the public benefit and return financial surpluses back to our local communities and stakeholders.

"The idea is that, by combining our two organisations, we should be stronger together and more effective at providing and developing our leisure, yachting, visitor and event services for our customers, whilst also continuing to deliver our charitable objectives for our local community and for the enjoyment of current and future generations.”

CHC and CTWT are now asking for public views and comments on the initial stakeholder consultation and proposals for the future of the harbour and waterfront.

To find out more details on the proposals you can view them here: cowesharbourcommission.co.uk/consultation and cowesyachthaven.com/news.