TWENTY interested parties have put themselves forward to develop the former Shanklin Spa Hotel site on the Esplanade.

Speaking at the Isle of Wight Council's cabinet meeting last night (Thursday), Cllr Julie Jones-Evans, regeneration and business development lead, said she was pleased to report the very strong level of interest the council had received in just a few days.

The site, which the authority owns, is listed in the draft Island Planning Strategy as being suitable for sustainable, high quality, predominantly residential development.

It could provide at least 50 properties, in a mix of sizes and affordable housing, public transport and highway improvements as well as contributions towards improvements to the seawall and coastal defences, says the plan.

The site, next to the cliff lift, currently comprises a public car park, closed public toilets and redundant buildings.

According to the council's regeneration website, called IWight Invest 'An Isle of Opportunities', another idea for the beachfront site, could see a 'boutique holiday accommodation that attracts visitors all year long'.

Isle of Wight County Press: An artist's impression of the site, based on the Isle of Wight Council's plans in 2017. (Picture: Isle of Wight Council)An artist's impression of the site, based on the Isle of Wight Council's plans in 2017. (Picture: Isle of Wight Council)