The potential to form links for cyclists and pedestrians

ADD KEY TO PLAN HERE

10

9
8
6

4

7

5

EAST COWES ESPLANADE OPPORTUNITIES

3
2
The lack of commercialisation and its openness are listed as some of the positive elements of this
area’s character, and any future development should keep this in mind and enhance these positive
aspects.
To the south as far as the Norris Castle bathing house the setting is predominantly green, with recent
landslides making vehicle access difficult; closer to the town, the setting becomes more urban towards
the coastguard cottages and the barracks.

1

The esplanade area has been divided into 10 ‘opportunity zones’, each with the ability to create
individual points of interest for a varied user group.

2

Key Plan of the Esplanade

3

1
First impressions– the use of wall art,
interactive lighting and new seating
would improve the appeal of the area
and give it a sense of place.

The interactive lighting would
act as a year round
attraction and could also be
temporarily increased for a
‘Festival of Light’ during a
peak and off-peak period to
draw further visitor numbers
to this location.

Modern seating arrangements add
interest to panorama as well as being
practical.

EAST COWES ESPLANADE

OPPORTUNITY ZONES 1,2 3
EC-E01

Sep 2018

 IMPROVED PLAY & LEISURE FACILITY

MODERN DINING LOCATION

4

5

There is an opportunity to provide the area with a modern approach to dining with modular
bars and restaurants along the seafront; the units could be contemporary repurposed
shipping containers (a nod to the marine activity in the area ) and simply fitted out for new
businesses. Being demountable gives further flexibility to the area and is a low risk way to
test the area for the success of such an offer. Whilst the sailing and tennis provision currently
situated here could be moved towards the farther end of the esplanade (zone 6/7) where
there is another public slipway and would form a continuation of the leisure provision.

Consolidation and improvement to the play area would free up space to diversify the land
use. Family-friendly activities could be brought in to the area through seasonal ground leasing
by local businesses such as trampoline / inflatable ’pay to play’ in summer seasons.

4

Solar powered equipment with chargers and a free Wi-Fi zone would encourage people to
use social media, influencing others via their mobile devices and using location filters and
hashtags would boost East Cowes‘ reputation.

This area, once established
as an eatery destination,
could be a catalyst to
realising a named restaurant
like ‘Rick Stein’ to take a
long term tenure or land
purchase and be
associated with East Cowes.

The appealing view from the modern dining location

EAST COWES ESPLANADE

OPPORTUNITY ZONES 4&5
EC-E02

Sep 2018

 6

7

EAST COWES ESPLANADE
OPPORTUNUTIES
Opportunity to create public space to stop and rest.
Jetties give the ability to increase interaction with the sea, encouraging swimming, kayaking,
crabbing and fishing. Rock jetties are more natural looking and might be designed as part of
the flood defence structure, however floating plastic jetties are available for both purchase
and seasonal hire.

Improved splash park could double up as interactive lighting after
dark.
The installations / new structures could
have natural colours from the sea and
landscape, and reflective qualities.

EAST COWES ESPLANADE

OPPORTUNI TIES 6,7
EC-E03

Sep 2018

 10

The
Bathing
House

New heritage interpretation boards throughout the town and along
the front to the Norris Castle bathing house as part of public realm
improvements would assist in creating a reason for people to visit here.

9
8

The ‘project’ aims to naturalise the landslip zone, place planting along
the boardwalks and create a pedestrian nature zone around the area
where the landslips occur, with necessary statutory adjustments to give
the land parkland status and remove the public highway definition.

There is potential to increase the number of beach huts in this area,
which would provide opportunities for watching the sailing action
and enjoying the beach in a more natural, car-free style. Some
beach huts could also be used as a hostel in a very design oriented
way.

There is a lack of cyclist access through East Cowes, but new
dedicated markings and a car-free road proposal in this area would
increase visitor numbers to the esplanade and encourage others to
use the cycle routes.

The recent landslips have made this route inaccessible for cars, but
a new wooded area could be created with suitable plants and
raised timber footpaths similar to the below examples. A
boardwalk / footpath in the wooded area could create a possible
link towards Osborne House, bringing landowners together.

EAST COWES ESPLANADE

The area is well used by swimmers, and a new kayak rental shack
could introduce more water activities on the seafront such as
kayaking, paddle boarding, and regular lessons; with the use of the
new jetty, this area could offer excellent sea / land interaction and
leisure activities.

OPPORTUNI TIES 8,9,10
EC-E04

Sep 2018