CAMPAIGNERS SOME £16,000 SHORT OF FEES NEEDED TO TAKE COUNCIL TO COURT OVER EAST WIGHT HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

Campaigners hoping to take the Isle of Wight Council to the High Court, over Ryde’s Westridge Farm, site need to raise more money – and there could be just a few weeks left to do that. The Save Westridge Farm campaign needs another £16,000, in case it gets the go-ahead for a judicial review into the actions of the local authority over how a planning application was handled. The campaign opposes plans for an extra 473 houses on the West Acre Park development, on the outskirts of Ryde. A request for a judicial review was lodged with the High Court in September, over accusations County Hall mishandled the proposal. The Isle of Wight Council has denied the claims. Campaigners are now waiting to hear whether their appeal will move forward and an update is expected in the next few weeks. If it gets the green light, £10,000 must be paid to the High Court The sum would be repaid if the case is won. Additional cash, for barristers and legal fees, is also needed. Since the campaign got underway, more than £40,000 has been raised via the Crowdjustice crowdfunding page.