The group opposing plans to build on land at the former Westridge Farm in Ryde are asking for an extra £34,000 in donations, as a date is set for the matter to be heard in court. Save Westridge Farm campaign has been calling for a judicial review into the actions of the Isle of Wight Council over how a planning application for an extra 473 houses at West Acre Park was handled. It’s alleged that the local authority mishandled the proposals, something the Council denies. A request for a judicial review was submitted to the High Court of London King’s Bench Division last September, with approval given by His Honour Judge Jarman earlier this year. Now, it has been confirmed that Greenfield IOW Ltd – the company formed to lead the campaign – will represent some of the Ryde community on 1st July this year when a rolled-up hearing takes place at Southampton Combined Courts. A fundraiser to help fund the legal battle originally sought £39,300 in donations, but it has now been confirmed that almost £100,000 is needed to fund the barristers and solicitors representing Greenfield IOW Ltd. To date, £56,000 of the £91,500 needed has been pledged via CrowdJustice. A sum of £10,000 has already been paid to the court, which will be refunded if Greenfield’s case is successful. Plans to build more than 400 homes on the outskirts of Appley have been approved by the Isle of Wight Council, twice. But local campaigners are still fighting to put a stop to the development – to the detriment of those seeking much-needed local housing. Local councillor, Michael Lilley, has previously said:
“Recent climate change realities of flooding and sewage releases into the Solent demonstrate environmentally that building 472 houses on farmland half a mile from the coastline would be a disaster”.
Last time checked, that site is on top of a hill, so not sure what Flooding problems they are worried about. Yet another excuse to oppose housing.
Go back and check all the underground streams running away f r om it forming Springs… Dozy
The hole site is a flood plane. In a great big dip in the land scape. Stand on the corner of uplands road where the gate is and you shall see.
A judicial review has nothing to do with opposing houses. It’s one role is whether the decision of a planning application has been carried out in a correct and legal way. Also if it had been correctly done would the outcome have been the same.
Just all of you remember when getting the welcome mat out for the dinghy flotillas contents, that whilst thus far only a few have enriched our island directly, many people moving to the island creating vast quantities of new housing, do so to move from areas swamped with such, forcing the indigenous to places like the island to understandably feel more secure.
Think and see the main reason why so many homes are filling the UK now.
So, human excrement on the beaches isn’t a good enough reason? The stupidity on here is stunning. The sewers don’t work for the sewage we already create (especially with so many people speaking it) But SOME people, probably originally from the cities, think we should just keep adding more and more! The roads are already jam packed and unsuitable for the traffic we already have. DER, LETS ADD MORE HOUSES FOR MORE CARS. Most of the only hospital is gone. Yay, add more people for waiting lists, dental, medical. Recent fire, had to wait for firefighters from the mainland! Waits for ambulances, dangerous. Let’s add more housing anyway! Emergency services cut to the bone. Woop, let’s put more pressure on them. More taxes! For misappropriation.
Those who oppose are almost certain to have a secure roof over their heads and don’t give a damn for anyone else seeking the same. Pure self centred egotism
Only a very small % of this development will be allocated for social housing so will not help folk who need a roof over their heads. Also most of the islanders wanting to buy won’t be able to afford the properties built. The infra-structure of roads, doctors surgeries, schools & dentists are not in place to support the development either! The only people who will benefit are the developers who will be lining their pockets. We need more social housing built.
You have no chance against the developers. Get building lads
Grab the pitchforks and burning brands, ready with the cry “Not in my backyard!”
It’s different. This is not in my farmyard. Go build in Sandown with the poors, not near me.
Please everyone get behind this campaign. It’s the one solid chance of standing up to this corrupt council and their developer mates. A successful outcome will force the Planning Officers to think twice before running rough shod over us all,with their lies and illegal practices.
Nothing to do with the planning officers, it’s the councillors on the planning sub committee that approved the application.
I suggest you take time to read all documents on crowd justice.
More properties not required.
There are enough eyesores on the Island that need doing up and could be
used for housing
Here are a few of the sh*tholes available
The Old Royal York Hotel Ryde
The Old Spa Hotel car park in Shanklin and buildings behind nr the cliff
The Old Esplanade Hotel along Shanklin esplanade
The Old Warners Site at Appley
The Derelict Hotels in Sandown, there are so many along the High Street and
Seafront.
Use these DUMPS first
ARE THE COUNCIL BACKWARD ?!
The councils willingness to actively assist developers to build on greenbelt is driven by one thing only, money, both to be made by the developer and the council in section 105 payments, brownfill sites on the island and existing derelict buildings could easily fulfil the out of date requirements for additional housing on the island but are far less attractive to developers who first, either have to clear contaminated land or demolish exiting buildings.
It would seem more sensible to make developers tidy up derelict brown field sites first
It is a very contentious topic regarding housing, but I think if people see the right housing in the right places that enables young people to get a roof over their head, without having to spend over half their pay to stay in an insecure let, they would be behind most building projects. Unfortunately, many of these developments, including this one, are expensive, often executive homes, on the desirable edge of towns providing great income for developers, and adding little to the needs of the community. Nimby is an easy slur, but we need to move away from insults and really analyse what the Island needs for a sustainable future, and how it can be achieved, not led by meeting arbitrary housing figures.
Wow these comments definitely aren’t astroturfed no sir. People would rather see fully available land sit empty than effect there precious house prices. People with nothing better to do fighting tooth and nail just so they can better be happy and screw anyone else. The cap doffing, I’m alright jack and I got mine generation really is amazing.
If persons cannot afford to bring children in this world
then keep their trousers on.
It is not a charity, we can’t keep supplying homes for UNPAYING
families.
Do what China does. Maximum 2 children, and if they cannot afford to make their own
way in life the parent of the Mothers should house them in their homes.
I put the username in as a joke but bravo you really are living up to it with that comment. interesting pivot to China in your rhetoric. do you also think we should be following China’s housing policy or do you only use them when you want to support your weird eugenics argument on why the poor shouldn’t breed.
You do realise children don’t come about by immaculate conception, don’t you? Possibly not. Incel maybe? Or that the economy might change between conception and adulthood? As for the world population, never fear poppet….it’s already top heavy…FAR more older people than children being born, so soon you’ll be quite content in a world full of geriatrics with no taxation to pay for someone to wipe the dribble from you. Enjoy.
To the detriment of those seeking local housing? I see the island echo is no longer a neutral news service. Gone to the dark side. Disgusting. I will have to counter with all of the fallen and crumbling neglected properties around the island. The houses that are owned, as tax write offs. One of the many houses they own, yet neglect it, allowing another island eye sore.
We don’t need housing. We need a working sewer. A whole new sewer system that separate the sewage and the rain water. Perhaps then, we can consider more housing to ruin what little we have left for tourists. Like open space! Clean beaches. The houses are there. The planning dept? Known as the “Sealed envelopes for rubber stamps dept” I heard THAT in London! Report that!