08.10.2005

Listed crane might be restored

The Giant cantilever crane, which towers above the skyline in Cowes, on the Isle of Wight could soon be restored at a cost of £750,000, but only if a planning application for an adjoining £80 million development is given the go ahead.

The crane was designed by Babcock and Wilcox and built in its Renfrew plant, it can lift up to 80 tonnes and was located on the fitting-out quay at the J S. White shipyard, which produced warships. This was the only Giant Cantilever (or hammerhead) crane ever built by Babcocks
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The Babcock &Wilcox Giant Cantilever crane in Cowes on the Isle of Wight

The Planning application will go to appeal next May, because the site owner, the Peter Harrison Family Trust, submitted two identical applications in tandem in February, one of which is still awaiting a decision by the local council.

The trust has now applied for listed building consent to carry out work on the crane which was built in 1911 and went into service in 1912. The crane is apparently in a dangerous condition. There was talk of having it de-listed so it could be demolished. This supposedly had strong support from some residents in the area.

"Although the views of the community are mixed, we are keeping our options open and taking care of the health and safety considerations," said a spokesman for the trust..

If the application to carry out work on the crane is successful, the work will largely cover structural repairs, rather than restoring it to full working condition.
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A photo of the crane in its youth

"We may put in a small motor so that the crane can be used for demonstration purposes, but not for any lifting. The cost of the work we would carry out would be £750,000 but that will not happen unless the development as a whole takes place," the spokesman added.

The Trust wants to build 386 houses, a riverside walkway with the crane as a centrepiece, a pub, restaurant and small hotel. The development would provide around 100 jobs.

However, the Isle of Wight council says that this is contrary to the supplementary planning guidance for the site because it is zoned mainly for marine employment, not a mixed development.