'˜Solent Eye' ferris wheel to arrive in Southsea tomorrow

As reported, Clarence Pier splashed out £750,000 on a 110ft-high structure dubbed the ‘Solent Eye’ to have in place by Easter.

The attraction needed planning permission from Portsmouth City Council before it could be brought to the pier.

Planning officers have now approved the scheme, and it’s expected the wheel will be delivered tomorrow before being set up for visitors.

The family ride, which has been built in Italy by attractions firm Technical Park, will have 24 gondolas, each seating six passengers.

Confirming that permission had been granted, Portsmouth Tory culture boss Linda Symes said: ‘It’s another attraction in Southsea, this is just another of the things we need to attract more visitors. This is part of our plan to help the city grow.

‘It will bring more people to the area. They will have the great experience of coming to the seafront and going on a 32m wheel.

‘The views across the Solent will be fantastic.’

Cllr Symes said concerns were initially raised by Natural England that migrating birds would fly into the gondolas, but was then satisfied the gondolas wouldn’t be moving fast enough to cause any harm to wildlife.