The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has condemned plans to build 7,290 new homes on the Isle of Wight over the next 15 years, stating that number is undeliverable and a potential threat to our UNESCO Biosphere status.
CPRE, the countryside charity, has welcomed various improvements to the draft Island Planning Strategy document (IPS) but remains concerned that the Island’s natural beauty and green fields are still not adequately protected from ‘unscrupulous property developers’.
Over the next 15 years, the draft IPS allows for the creation of 7,290 new homes many of which are on greenfield sites and with little guarantee that they will meet Islanders’ needs, the charity says. CPRE does however note that many aspects of the draft IPS have been improved following public consultation in 2018/19, for example, the lower housing targets (by 25%), the removal of 2 proposed garden villages, the removal of 75 allocated sites, greater emphasis on sympathetic design and high-quality materials, and the banning of development outside of settlement boundaries.
Nonetheless, CPRE say the overall targets for new housing remain too high and say it is concerning to see that the 75 removed allocated sites are still being encouraged to come forward via various ‘planning loopholes’, and thus could still be developed.
Alex Haig-Thomas, Chair of CPRE Isle of Wight, says:
“Not only are the high targets undesirable but they are also unrealistic owing to the limitations of building suppliers on the island. In recent years, no more than 300 homes have been built per year due to capacity issues. Furthermore, the island now has the highly-prized UNESCO Biosphere status, something which the council would be foolish to lose through over-development of the countryside.
“Decimation of the island’s green fields to meet government targets is non-sensical and must be stopped. We must, of course, house those islanders who are currently living in unsuitable accommodation, by building the right homes in the right places as a matter of urgency. Likewise, we require affordable new homes to meet islanders’ needs but we should not be destroying the island’s natural assets to build swathes of houses not required by locals”.
CPRE argues that the council should be encouraging the re-use of brownfield land including our decimated high-streets as well as ‘in-fills’ between existing residences to meet housing need, with green fields only being utilised in exceptional circumstances. High-quality build which also reflects the character of the Island must be a priority says the charity.
CPRE supports the removal of the Donkey Field and Farmers’ Field (HA073) from the list of allocated sites in this latest draft of the IPS but will continue to push for the removal of the allocated Bembridge sites (HA064 and HA065) and Crossways in East Cowes (HA046) among several others. CPRE also objects to the proposal to designate Freshwater and Bembridge as Secondary Settlements, on account of local infrastructure not being able to cope with this level of development and the potential damage it could do to the nature and character of the communities.
Alex adds:
“Islanders must speak up before Friday 1st October to prevent targets being set for thousands of unnecessary new homes. Simultaneously, we will work with our MP Bob Seely to put the case to Westminster for the island to be granted “Exceptional Circumstances” as an Island Park to free us from damaging central government targets”.
Good luck with that then, Bob says the right words but nothing will come of it, he is a tory after all. The council just want all that council tax and probably will buy some more industrial estates up north, even though they say they won’t. Corruption all round then as usual.
“building the right homes in the right places”
aka – no riff raff and rabbit hutches in our villages (keep them in the run-down towns)
but expensive holiday homes are fine (cos they pay council tax, only here a few weeks and spend money when they come)
Deal with the main problem, over population. Then there is no need for thousands of brick boxes littering the countryside.
Totally ridiculous as I have mentioned before the island has not grown and a concrete jungle is not very appealing to the tourists so that will put the final nail in that coffin !!!
Also these rabbit hutches go up so quick …. noticed building work just near Rookley Post office today more like Guinea pig cage’s will check in a couple of weeks they will probably be finished !!!!!
The infrastructure of the island will not cope ….
Our Hospital Doctors Dentists Social Care our employment !
How long before we sink ……
Surely something needs to be done re this ridiculous thing that says we must build build
It was Boris Johnson who said we will build build build. Won’t be voting conservative again if that is their motto.
To be honest I probably won’t vote at all they are all as bad as each other.
Just look at the shower we have as island councillors!!!!
All blaming previous councillors all trying to look like they are the ONE …..
Doesn’t cut the mustard with me anymore…..
If you don’t vote, you have no reason to moan or complain.
Do what I have done in the past.
Write “none of the above”.
All ballet paper’s are counted, even the spoiled ones.
They should make it law,that everyone has got to vote. Like they do in Australia.
7290 homes in 15 years that makes it only 486 per year doesn’t sound that bad to me
you should take into consideration aprox 4 people in each house and aprox 2 cars per house, the infrastruture will not cope,and cant cope now .
2 cars per house is ridiculous
2 cars, a work van, and mayby a.. I’ve just past my test can I have a car child
So basically the CPRE object to all developments except the 1200 houses in the fields at Camp Hill. Thanks guys.
i was told by the I.O.W council by letter, thier is no intention to construct any houses on the prison site letter dated 12th April 2021
Hands up all those who voted Conservative?
What is wrong with Bembridge for a few new houses? Nobody would notice the difference! Whitecliff holiday Park is ugly & the feild off Mill Lane perfect for affordable housing to balance out the vociferous wealthy few!
I agree, but there not all rich down there. They actually have a big homeless problem. There are loads of old folk squatting in boats by the harbour, It’s one big eye saw and smells of s**t !