Bembridge Harbour Trust, the charity set up two and a half years ago to buy Bembridge Harbour, Isle of Wight, will open discussions with the current owner’s advisers when details of the intended sale and financial details become available shortly.

Media reports indicate that the harbour companies will offer the harbour and selected surrounding properties for lease.

The lease on the harbour will be for 150 years and that on the properties for 50 years.

Donald Biddle, the chairman of the Trust, said, “Our aim is to buy the harbour in perpetuity for the benefit of the varied users and the communities of Bembridge and St. Helens and to preserve and enhance it as a working harbour. We hope we can persuade the harbour companies to change their minds about leasing the harbour and properties and sell us the freeholds.”