The Isle of Wight’s ‘planning bible’ could be delayed again — this time to make way for national reforms.
In November, the Isle of Wight Council’s draft Island Planning Strategy (IPS) hit a wall, after the majority of councillors sent it back to the leader of the authority, Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox, to reconsider.
The 15-year plan would set the council’s housing targets, outline employment space and create new planning policies.
Among the reasons it was returned were the suggestions it should include:
- A clear commitment to use land the authority owns to build social homes for Islanders.
- A time limit for legal agreements to be signed or permission would be refused.
- An affordable rented housing definition.
- In sending it back, the council’s cabinet had to return the plan to full council by the start of February.
Since the decision, however, Michael Gove, the government’s levelling up, housing and communities secretary announced a consultation on reforms to the national planning policy framework.
Some of the proposals could see changes to the way local plans are made, the calculation of housing need and a requirement for timely building within the housing market.
The national consultation closes on 2nd March and could come into force in spring 2023.
Councillor Paul Fuller, the cabinet member for planning, is seeking an extension to the IPS deadline until the end of June, at the latest, so the plan can incorporate any of the changes made to the national policy.
In a report going to full council, officers say given the significance of the national consultation, sufficient time to consider its implication to the draft IPS should be given.
Officers would review details of national consultation and relay potential implications for the IPS to councillors in the coming weeks.
If you do not have a planning policy and strategy for the next 10/15/20 years then anyone who wishes to build and is turned down can appeal stating there is no policy to the contrary and invariably they will win, this is more about a lack of good practice at the council, they can set a strategy and if the government tweeks the legislation alter it accordingly. this lack of policy is more about letting developers for what ever reason get their big projects through before they are stopped..
With financial climate, and no one knows when that will end – even Rishi doesn’t, then the Council needs to concentrate on affordable rental homes to reduce staff shortages and rehoming of families at a capped rental charge. To plan 10 years ahead is currently a waste of time and resources, the issues are here and now and will alter as the years progress. All the legalities etc set by government need to be reviewed.
Agree it’s painfully obviously that a 10 year fixed plan is a waste of time. There will be a new government before long also which is likely to change the goalposts again. They need a plan which is reviewed annually or every two years, and this would make it easier to approve.
But this is the Isle of Wight council, which seem incapable of getting big decisions done.
Here’s a plan! Sack Wendy Perera and every other manager in the fortress of doom. With the money saved, actually provide some services to the over-taxed population of the Isle of Wight.
Taser him Sorted. Stop faffing around
Where are the Double Yellow Lines to finally put a Stop
to vehicles parking outside the Council Houses on the bend along
Great Preston Rd, Ryde
Always seems to be a vehicle parked on the pavement outside
No.90
Pavements are for pedestrians not vehicles!.
It’s about time Double Yellow lines were placed .
I believe IW Council is finally going to have
Double yellow lines laid, well overdue too be honest.
Seeing is believing, I won’t hold my breath.
If and when double yellow lines are placed.
Will idiots still park there!, who will Police the
Double Yellow lines!
CCTV is the answer.
You cannot teach Caulkhead Numpties right from wrong.
Delays delays delays …..
Excuses Excuses Excuses…
Surely common sense should prevail !!!!!!
No Dentists Dr’s ,well 2week wait if lucky ????? for an appt !!!!
Hospital in bedlam ooh bed blocking,,,,,,,
Social care …..
It’s called infrastructure, and if the Government and Council can’t see that , we are doomed to become a concrete jungle!!!!!
Bob Seely really needs to pull his finger out and fight for the island and islanders….
Month after month of faffing means our planning committee will just rubber stamp build build build….
We need housing for islanders, on brownfield site’s only and it must be affordable…..
Seely is as much use as a split cond*m
Barbeque Bob lost my respect when he broke
Lockdown Rules.
Many people were fined or told to move off benches etc during the
Draconian Lockdowns, yet he Barbeque’d.