EXTRACT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING OF THE FRESHWATER PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 18 MARCH 1976 AT 7.30 P.M. IN THE MEMORIAL HALL FRESHWATER
DEVELOPMENT OF LAND ADJACENT TO WEST WIGHT MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Chairman (Captain J Riddet) explained that the reason for including this item on the Agenda was partly because the Parish Council were asked to comment on a planning application for tennis courts on land adjacent to the school.
He said the Parish Council was not against the establishment of tennis courts but took the view that the members had not seen the overall plan of the whole area and it was premature to make comment or approve or disapprove on an application in an area, the future of which the Parish Council did not know. A representative meeting had been held at the West Wight Middle School some six weeks previously and from reports received by the Parish Council there appeared to be some conflict as to what was said at the meeting and the application for tennis courts on a certain area.
The Chairman said he felt it would be beneficial to all concerned if a representative from the County Council was invited to attend the meeting and introduced MR K HOOKEY, the Estates Officer. Mr Hookey said the matter was initiated by approaches from the local tennis club and the West Wight Swimming Pool Association who said they would like to provide courts and a pool in the area, adjacent to the school.
The County Architect had, following the meeting at the School, produced a plan of suggested locations for pool, courts and a possible Health Centre. This showed the Health Centre on the northwest corner of the site with the courts and pool at the northeast corner, corner, the Health Centre and course being separated by the car park.
The plan was displayed for those present to look at and ask questions. Mr Hookey then left the meeting.
N.B. It is worth noting that in 1977, after the public meeting gave its support to the proposed swimming pool, Ron Smith and Shirley Miles visited the Isle of Wight Council’s Estate Office in County Hall. The same Mr K Hookey who had attended the Freshwater Parish Council meeting was the officer they spoke with to negotiate the renting of the field for the proposed pool.
