Nettlestone & Seaview Parish Council is backing local residents in expressing concern and disappointment over the way the Isle of Wight Council has handled the planning process for a green field space in the parish – known locally as the ‘Donkey Field’.
The development, which was approved earlier this year, has been a source of anger in the community.
A group of residents raised complaints to the Local Government Ombudsman, highlighting worries about planning policies not being properly applied and local voices being ignored.
This week, the Ombudsman announced it will not investigate those complaints.
Local resident Grainne Andrews says:
“We were very unhappy about the decision, as it contradicts so much of what the parish has been working towards — and even what the Isle of Wight Council says in its own Island Plan.
“The Island is a UNESCO Biosphere site, and we need green corridors and space between our built-up areas.
“The justification seemed to be housing need, but one executive-style house won’t solve that problem – what’s most disappointing is how little regard the process gave to local democracy.”
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Trish Redpath, Planning Lead for Nettlestone & Seaview Parish Council, says:
“This is an iconic green field site, proposed in our draft Neighbourhood Plan as protected green space.
“The officer report was riddled with errors that would be obvious to anyone who’s actually visited the field — and now it’s to be despoiled by a single executive-style dwelling.”
The Parish Council says it shares the frustration of residents who believe their concerns have not been properly considered and has repeated its commitment to supporting the community, pressing for transparency, and speaking up for local voices in future planning matters.
I was once heavily involved in the planning process on the mainland. Much as I love living on the IOW, the IOW council seem to be able to ride roughshod over the wishes and views of the residents totally unchecked on almost any issue.