Councillors to decide whether Isle of Wight Festival continues at Seaclose Park into 2030s
A meeting is taking place to request a seven-year extension to the festival agreement
Councillors are deciding whether the Isle of Wight Festival could be given the green light to continue at Seaclose Park into the 2030s.
The Isle of Wight's Environment and Community Protection Committee (ECPC) members will decide today on a seven-year extension to the Isle of Wight Festival Agreement (IOWFA), starting next year.
The event's been staged annually since 2002 - except during the pandemic in 2020 - and it's thought to bring more than 15 million pounds a year to the Island economy.
A 'further three-year option' has been recommended in the officers' report to extend the license up to and including 2036.
Back in 2023, the land license between the Isle of Wight Festival and County Hall was approved by an Isle of Wight Council cabinet.
This includes environmental obligations to protect the festival area and ‘promote sustainable practices’, according to a council officers’ report due to be presented.
IOWF cannot cause damage to trees inside the festival area and is required to manage the total removal of litter, waste and ‘any equipment or materials’ brought into the space, to be completed before the festival period finishes.
A compulsory restoration process is also in order after each festival, with joint inspections of ground conditions from IOWF and the council before and after the festival period.
It says: “The Isle of Wight Festival is considered to have had a major economic benefit to the Island and has been staged annually since 2002 (except the pandemic in 2020).
“It provides worldwide profile for the Island as both a tourism destination and place to invest which if lost would be difficult to replicate.
“The event is estimated to be worth over £15m a year to the Island economy and introduces a new demographic of visitors to the Island many of whom will then continue to return both as festival goers but also long-term visitors with their family’s friends and relatives.
“Whilst the staging of the IW Festival is not necessarily supported by everyone, any adverse impacts on the local community have been mitigated over the years and a new long-term relationship will ensure that these plans will continue to be delivered and refreshed where necessary to ensure it continues to be a great event which benefits us all.”
The new license would have several 'minor alterations' including bringing the festival's use of the tennis courts at Seaclose and land at Newport Quay together.
ECPC will meet at County Hall at 5pm on Thursday.