Derelict Hotels And Missed Cash - Sandown Controversy Sparks Political Clash
Political leaders on the Isle of Wight have responded to accusations from a community group that they are letting Sandown "rot."
A community group, Together for Sandown, criticised council bosses and MPs for the town being left out of the government's £5 billion Pride in Place regeneration programme, calling it a "failure of political leadership."
The group said Sandown faces the "exact crisis" the scheme is designed to tackle and called for an urgent appeal to government ministers.
Council leader Phil Jordan acknowledged that parts of Sandown face "real and pressing challenges" including deprivation and neglect, but stressed the Pride in Place funding isn’t intended to repair privately owned buildings.
Author's summary: Sandown controversy sparks political clash