Isle of Wight car park to be shut for New Forest drone trial

The trial, which begins on Wednesday, August 7, will see Mornington Road Car Park in Cowes shut off for the whole duration - with locals labelling it a 'disgrace'.

Speaking at a protest held at the car park on Tuesday, Gilly Hall said the area is 'totally unsuitable' for the trial.

READ MORE: Isle of Wight to New Forest drone flights set for 6 month trial

(Image: IWCP)"It is full of wildlife such as red squirrels, foxes, bats and song thrushes", she said.

Gilly, who lives on Cliff Road next to the car park, said the nearby village green and car park are used all summer.

"We're really angry and upset about it", she said.

An artist's impression of the logistics hub (IW Council and Inteliports) (Image: PR) Operator Inteliports hopes the project will create a drone corridor between a distribution hub in Fawley and the delivery point in Cowes, improving the island's access to goods and taking fuel-guzzling vehicles off the roads.

Residents claim they have not been consulted on the plans - but the Isle of Wight Council insists all proper procedures have been followed.

Shouts of "no drones here" and banners saying 'no drone zone' were held aloft as more than 50 people turned out to the protest.

Gilly Hall (Image: IWCP)

In a letter to some residents, the council previously said local ecologists found "no significant impact" to wildlife.

But David Clementi, who lives about 20 yards from the car park, said residents can find no evidence of a proper ecology study.

"We, the residents who elect the councillors, are the most important stakeholder and we have not been talked to at all", David said.

David Clementi (Image: IWCP)

Siobhan Barney (Image: IWCP)

"How can a site in the middle of Cowes could possibly be chosen as a sensible logistics hub for the Island? It's ridiculous."

Cowes town councillor Siobhan Barney claims the town council hasn't been consulted, either, and is looking at an injunction to stop the plans.

"We've been told that it officially doesn't need planning but we haven't got consensus from the public", she said.

The council said it was unable to facilitate residents at the initial consultation, due to the number of attendees confirming prior to event, but representatives from Cowes Town Council did attend.

A spokesperson said: "Ongoing consultation is active and monitored via emails which have been established by both the Isle of Wight Council and Inteliports to answer any questions and to look to make adjustments where possible.”

Cllr Peter Spink, whose ward is Freshwater North and Yarmouth, said he was so "incensed" he came over to Cowes for the protest.

Cllr Peter Spink (Image: IWCP)

Mornington Road and the village green (Image: IWCP)

"I don't believe that due process has been followed", he said.

A council spokesperson said: "The Isle of Wight Council has followed all proper procedures in relation to closing the carpark and notice boards will be put up shortly."

They added that the car park sees "very limited" use, with 850-900 transactions - and would expect 130 to 150 in the period of the trial, which runs from August to February.