Rufus Pickles - Local Democracy Reporter
Rufus is the Local Democracy Reporter for the Isle of Wight, a role he took up in August 2024.
The role, which focuses on subjects such as council meetings, planning applications and matters of democratic interest, is funded by the BBC as part of the national Local Democracy Reporter Scheme - or LDRS.
NEW RIVERSIDE RESTAURANT COULD OPEN UP NEAR THE BANKS OF THE MEDINA
A new riverside restaurant could be coming to an Isle of Wight mental health and wellbeing centre as part of a scheme to give the site a ‘multi-faceted’ use. Vicki Haworth, on behalf of the Isorropia Foundation, has put forward...
Read moreDetailsCOUNTY HALL REJECTS CONTENTIOUS BID TO INSTALL 5G MAST IN SANDOWN
A contentious bid to build a 20m 5G mast in what was described by a County Councillor as a 'ridiculous position' has been turned down by Isle of Wight Council planners. County Hall rejected Mobile Broadband Network Limited’s (MBNL) prior...
Read moreDetailsPLANS UNVEILED FOR EXPANSION OF SEN PROVISION AT THE BAY CE SECONDARY SCHOOL
Site plans have been unveiled for an expansion of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision at Sandown's The Bay CE Secondary School. County Hall is looking to build a ‘double mobile classroom’ building at The Bay CE Secondary School...
Read moreDetailsEMPTY COMMERCIAL PREMISES COULD BE TRANSFORMED INTO FLATS IN EAST COWES
An empty commercial premises in the heart of East Cowes could be converted into 2 new flats. Mr M. Croll applied to County Hall for planning permission to turn the ground floor of 25 – 27 Castle Street in East...
Read moreDetailsNEWPORT FLATS APPLICATION REJECTED DESPITE SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY COUNCIL
A proposal for 3 ‘affordable’ new flats in Newport High Street has been refused by the Isle of Wight Council. Planners turned down Mr K. Hang’s application for the construction of 3 self-contained homes at 21-22 High Street in Newport...
Read moreDetails12-BED HMO TO REPLACE OFFICE SPACE IN HEART OF NEWPORT TOWN CENTRE
A 12-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) will replace office and storage space in Newport. The council has granted planning permission to Mr and Mrs Day of Clearstream Property Ltd for a conversion of the rear ground floor, first floor...
Read moreDetailsCLOSED BARBER SHOP IN SHANKLIN COULD BE TRANSFORMED INTO TATTOO STUDIO
A closed barbers in the heart of Shanklin could be turned into a new tattoo studio. A planning application has been lodged with County Hall for a change of use of 52B High Street, Shanklin. The building was previously home...
Read moreDetailsSHANKLIN HMO PLANS APPROVED DESPITE BACKLASH FROM HOST OF LOCALS
An 8-bedroom house in the middle of the seaside town of Shanklin will become a house in multiple occupation (HMO) despite an outcry over the plans. Mr Singh’s planning application to County Hall for a change of use of 23...
Read moreDetailsNEW BARN TO BE BUILT AT ALPACA FARM IN NORTHWOOD
A new barn will be built at an alpaca farm on the edge of the village of Northwood. County Hall has given consent to Richard Hargreaves’s proposal to construct a timber barn on a grazing pasture next to his home,...
Read moreDetailsGAMBLING FIRM MOVES ONE STEP CLOSER TO OPENING SLOTS ARCADE IN NEWPORT
A gambling business has moved one step closer to opening an adult amusement arcade in the centre of the Isle of Wight’s county town. The council has authorised Coopers Amusements Limited’s proposed shopfront signage for an adult gaming centre centre...
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