Keen not to let planning applications for unsustainable housing slip through the net during the COVID-19 pandemic, Island MP Bob Seely has offered his objections to a proposed new greenfield development– this time in Merstone.
The MP says the planned development – consisting of 3 new residential units on greenfield land adjacent to Rose Barn in Chapel Lane – is unnecessary and does not reflect local need.
Bob said:
“I am keen to ensure that our housing is built in the right places and reflects the needs of Islanders. I am concerned that this application exemplifies a trend of unsustainable greenfield development that does not reflect local demand.
“I cannot see how this type of housing in this location will benefit the community and I know there are strong feelings from residents in the area about this.
“We are in danger of developing greenfield sites which are car dependent and service poor – when we should instead be focusing on protecting our landscape and quality of life by utilising existing development opportunities.
“We should be increasing density in our larger towns, where residents are supported by better services, developing existing brownfield sites, and encouraging renovation.”
Bob said he believed the plans were not reflective of the local housing needs survey 2014 -2019 which identified a need for two owner-occupied, two private rented, six affordable rented, and eleven affordable owned houses in the parish.
He said he would continue his campaign to see the Island’s housing target lowered by the Government which would see nearly 10,000 houses built across the Island in the next 15 years under the emerging Island Plan.
Bob invited residents to sign his survey and petition against the housing targets here: http://islandvision.uk/Islandplan/ which has already been signed by nearly 7,000 Islanders.
Well Bob…. I welcome the fact that you have not welcomed this unnecessary proposed development.
That’s got to be worth half a sausage.
Bob, is this because it is proposed affordable housing. Of course you are not interested in helping the poorer on our Island, by the way how was the sausage at seaview, if you ate only half I guess it wasn’t very nice, but then again you shouldn’t have gone there anyway.
Pork or beef?
Affordable housing so the buyers can buy it and make a killing when they sell. A covenant should be put on affordable housing to ensure this doesn’t happen.
Is it a bit too close to home Bob it seems different when you want to stick a massive estate in ryde
Where was Bob when Pennyfeathers recently came up again to ruin Ryde and the beautiful Smallbrook valley NOT for a while, but, for the rest of time.
Likely the developers are not ‘in’ cohoots with the ‘right’ people as they are with PF, and the ‘thankyou’ will not be deemed large enough.
We all know the inner city overspill will be welcomed by our mercenary Council, who will ensure that they, and their developer pals will live miles away from the ruination. Then once crime has soared not so many will be so welcoming of certain types, but too late then. Watch, and learn.
Trust is gone in planning, and not without good reason.
Trying to win the voters back BBQ Bob?
Expect he broke lockdown to inspect the site over BBQ lunch.
Mark
Affordable housing was NOT proposed on this application
So he wants to let loads of holiday makers on the island but stop our local builders. Maybe he needs more people at his BBQ. Silly Sausage Bob
No care what you think now, Bob. You broke the rules like Cummings. What little respect (if any) has just been washed away like your BBQ on a rainy day. BYE.
No care – but you still opened and read the article.
I feel the same i quite liked the bloke till he did that
As I read that, 17 affordable Properties would be available to Island residents who would not be in the position to own property . Roll on the Petition ” Ban Islanders from owning their own Homes !!!!
We do not welcome illegal gaverings but our MP not only attended but stayed to socialize, made no effort to stop it, failed to report it and broke lockdown regulations by attending. Is this the kind of person we want to represent the Island ? I think not!
You’ll still vote for him, A local man once told me that people on the island would vote for dog poo if it had a blue rosette on it…sad really
Don’t forget if you vote Bob you get Boris “herd immunity, take it on the chin” Johnson.
Get involved in the Pennyfeathers development Bob…. 904 dwellings…. How on earth will our hospital cope? Our roads, it will become a ghetto for crime, our police, drugs…. Just too many Bob.
High time house building on the Island was stopped, the Island neither has the infrastructure not the jobs to sustain all this additional housing. More should be done to cut back on second homes which are far too prevalent on the Island to the detriment of first time buyers.
Ban all second homes on the Island ,HOW? . the answer has to be the Jersey/Guernsey method build Houses for the Islander first time buyers at a low price Mainland purchasers/retirees wanting to buy property on the Island pay substiantialy higher property tax and rates .
If there were less second homes and holiday homes on this island maybe we wouldn’t need so many new ones.