UPDATED 14:30*
COUNCILLORS have been warned by a planning chief after they defied officers and turned down part of Red Funnel's controversial re-development of its East Cowes terminal.
The committee tonight (Tuesday) turned down part of the ferry company's alternative scheme which does not involve demolishing homes and businesses — including the White Hart pub — in Dover Road.
Officers had recommended approval after the first scheme put forward by Red Funnel was refused last year.
That much more radical plan is subject to an appeal yet to be determined by the Planning Inspectorate.
It includes a new terminal, bigger marshalling yard, 100 homes, shops and leisure facilities and a 60-bed hotel.
The latest application would have increased by 100 cars the capacity of the marshalling yard, to include Trinity Wharf and demolition of the Redux industrial unit behind Dover Road.
It retained the two largest Seaholme industrial units, protecting marine employment until the proposed deep-water access to Kingston Marine Park on the Medina until it is is complete and businesses can move there.


But councillors, led by Cllr Richard Hollis, were concerned about the loss of the Redux building to make way for a lorry trailer park and turned down that part of the application, accepting only the re-development of the Trinity site for more car parking.

IW Council head of place Wendy Perera warned that she was "calling in" the decision and placing it on the agenda of a special meeting so councillors could reconsider the risks of their decision.

* The council confirmed today (Wednesday) that the decision had been called in and would be the subject of further discussions on February 28

Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk