Progress and Plans: The Journey So Far…
January 2023
*In partnership with the Isle of Wight Council, the Environment Agency announces plans to investigate options for the refurbishment of the sea defences at four locations around the Isle of Wight including in Sandown Bay.
*Swim the Wight see an opportunity to realise their vision for a tidal sea pool by proposing they build it within and as part of a compartment of the Sandown Bay sea defences at Yaverland during their potential refurbishment.
*The Environment Agency advise Swim the Wight that detailed design of the coastal defence refurbishment commences in 2025 and a feasibility study would be required if the council support the principle of the seapool being integrated into the defences.
March – July 2023
*The Sea Pool project is showcased alongside prospective regeneration projects for Yaverland to opinion formers, environmental agencies and key Isle of Wight Council officers and elected members and receives a warm welcome.
*The Pool project team take part in public consultations on The Bay Area Place Plan.
*The Isle of Wight Council convene an event led by external facilitators to progress the vision for the regeneration of Yaverland including the tidal sea pool.
*Swim the Wight proposes a Motion for the Ocean Declaration for the island. This is developed at Cabinet level then approved and adopted without amendment by the full Isle of Wight Council.
*Work begins on the pool’s technical and environmental feasibility report.
*Funding is secured from the New Things Fund of Southampton University’s Centre for the South Policy Unit for an online survey into sea swimming on the Isle of Wight. It is conducted from 26 July to October 1, 2023.
September – December 2023
*Local authority approval for an agreement in principle to lease the pool site to STW is offered verbally at Cabinet Chair level and confirmed by email.
*The Environment Agency helps Swim the Wight to identify potential challenges that will need to be considered and mitigated for in the final seapool design. These relate to future asset maintenance, ensuring structural integrity of the coastal defences is not compromised, impacts to intertidal habitat relating to coastal squeeze and impacts upon coastal processes.
*A new pool design avoiding contact with the existing groynes is commissioned.
*EA Consultations take place on the options for refurbishing the sea defences at Yaverland and Shanklin in Sandown Bay.
*Natural England give their agreement in principle to the sea pool project.
January 2024
*Pre planning advice from the Isle of Wight Council identifies key evidence & information required to satisfy the planners but no show stoppers.
*The Bay Area Place Plan is published. STW offers to be on its steering/interest groups.
*Funding is secured from the New Things Fund of Southampton University’s Centre for the South Policy Unit for a further research project “ Swimming Safely through blue heritage on the Isle of Wight. Its objective is to undertake further analysis of the 2023 IOW Sea Swimming Survey and to identify recommendations that could be considered to enhance
public policies that would combat the insecurities those who responded to the survey voiced about living by the coast.
*Further funding is secured from the New Things Fund for an additional research project “Swimming Safely Through Blue Heritage on the Isle of Wight”. Its objective is to undertake further analysis of the 2023 IOW Sea Swimming Survey and to identify recommendations that could be considered to enhance public policies that would combat the insecurities voiced about living by the coast, by those who responded to the survey.
March – June 2024
*The Environment Agency is shown a revised seapool design concept. The EA confirms the need for a feasibility and environmental assessment to be undertaken.
*The IW Council declare support for the concept of a tidal sea pool for the Isle of Wight funded and operated by a third party.
*The IOW Sea Swimming Survey 2023 report is published. Workshops & further analysis of the survey are funded by the Centre for the South New Things Fund & a policy document is prepared for presentation to key public health practitioners and the local authority.
*The IOW Sea Swimming Survey 2023 report is published. Supported by the New Things Fund, workshops and additional analysis of the survey are conducted, and a policy document is prepared for presentation to relevant public health practitioners
and the local authority.
July – August 2024
*Enthusiastic support is offered by island businesses at the 2024 IW Chamber Expo and at events such as Sandown Regatta by island residents & visitors.
*Isle of Wight Sea Pool Ltd is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee and its Board and specialist interest groups “bubbles” begin to attract individuals with a range of skills and lived experience keen to bring our vision to fruition.
**Officers at the Isle of Wight Council agree to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the lease of the land required for the pool and its facilities. It is hoped this can be secured as soon as possible for planning and to enable grant
funding applications, and the attraction of social and private investment.
September – December 2024
*An appeal is launched to raise the additional funds required to enable the study to be completed to the deadline and to commission technical and engineering reports for the next stage in the design process.
*The Isle of Wight Council agree to negotiate a Heads of Terms Agreement with us for the lease of the land required for the pool and its facilities. We aim to secure this as soon as possible for planning and to enable grant funding applications, and the attraction of social and private investment.
*Charitable registration is also a key objective which we aim to apply for shortly.
*Isle of Wight Sea Pool Ltd is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee and its Board and special interest groups “Bubbles” begin to attract individuals with a range of skills and lived experience keen to bring our vision to fruition.
*An appeal is launched to raise the funds required to enable the feasibility study to be completed and to commission the technical and engineering reports for the next stage in the design process.
2025
*The sea pool project secures the unanimous support of Sandown Town Council, The Bay Business Association, and the Building the Bay Steering Group.
*The sea pool’s marine lab feature is included in the proposal for the International School for Rewilding at Yaverland.
*IOWSP adopts a new brand design following a competition held in collaboration with Isle of Wight College. The winning entry was created by James Watson, a final-year graphic design student.
*IOWSP and Isle of Wight Council officers collaboratively prepare a draft MOU, and a report is generated recommending that the committee consider council support in principle for the sea pool project and the MOU.
*Discussions continue with the Environment Agency and Isle of Wight Council on the timetable and requirements for integrating the sea pool into the next design and planning phase of the Sandown Bay Sea Defences Refurbishment programme.
*Isle of Wight Council’s Policy, Finance & Resources Committee agree unanimously to support in principle the sea pool project and to sign a letter of intent that includes IOWSP and the Council’s respective commitments to the project and the intention to develop a formal agreement on the leasing of the preferred pool site that is Council owned to IOWSP.
2026 – 2028
A major fundraising campaign will run during this period to secure funds for detailed design, technical, environmental & engineering studies and collaboration with relevant partners throughout the project’s planning and construction phases. Our aim is to raise the full development and construction costs before work on site begins, using a mix of private investment, social investment, fundraising, and grants.
2028 – 2030
Subject to all funds, permissions and approvals being in place by 2028 we anticipate construction of the pool will be in line with the Yaverland sea defences refurbishment programme, currently scheduled to commence in 2030.