After months of delays for Island families, it’s good news as move in day looms closer at Branstone Farm.
More than 40 affordable houses are being built in Arreton but due to construction issues, they have been hit with setbacks. Another problem affecting the occupation of the housing is planning permission conditions revolving around highways junctions, footpaths and speed limits.
Despite an application to legally vary the planning permission to allow families to move in as soon as possible, talks behind the scenes between Vectis Housing and the Isle of Wight Council have proved fruitful.
Martyn Pearl, Vectis Housing’s chief executive, said an agreement has been reached with the Council that the new housing at Branstone can be occupied once works have been completed. He said:
“The planning authority has confirmed that — while planning conditions require detail of highway works and access to be agreed prior to the occupation of housing — in this case the occupation of the housing and business units should not be delayed while the fine details are resolved.”
Mr Pearl has said all building work has now been completed but utility connections are still pending before families can move in. He said the go-live of electricity was expected in the next week or so, with hopes families could move in during September.
Mr Pearl said the project has been delayed due to labour and materials issues but all partners were focused on completing works and welcoming new homeowners, tenants and businesses to the site next month.
One of the biggest hold-ups has been the need to complete highway works outside the main summer holiday period, which means they could not start until 1st October.
It was previously said, in planning documents submitted to the Isle of Wight Council by Phil Salmon Planning on behalf of Vectis Housing, that the ten-week construction timeframe would mean families would only be able to move into houses in December.
The application to vary conditions was submitted last month, despite talks, but will still need to be determined by the Isle of Wight Council.
Have people been made aware if they have been successful in bidding with the council to receive a house?
Island families
born and bred families – or recently arrived, benefit spongers that have been imported at everyone elses expense,
who could have stayed where they are or claimed ayslum in france.
perhaps IE should specify the difference.
The actual figures from the 2021 Census show that, since 2011, the Isle of Wight population has increased by 2,100. There has been a 25% increase in the number of over 65s, a 5.3% decrease in 15 to 64 year olds and a 6.3% decrease in under 15s.
Doesn’t exactly fit your Daily Express narrative, does it?
stop being such a hand wringing do gooder smiffy – when you are at a loss and cannot get access to the services you require because some unwanted freeloader has taken up the space – then you will see what unfettered immigration does, to a small island that cannot increase its infrastructure capacity
that is still 2100 people showing up here that aren’t wanted.
and never read the daily express, ever – guess you are a hand wringing guardian reader
The number of people under 65 has actually declined on the island while the number over 65 has massively increased. That means that well over 2100 over 65s have moved to the island and are responsible for all of the population growth.
Given that is a FACT, it can only be assumed that it is pensioners you are referring to as unwanted freeloaders.
Instead of posting unsubstantiated gibberish, how about you actually post some figured to back up your assertions?
You won’t of course. Your kind never do. You will respond with more unsubstantiated right wing invective.
What you don’t get data for is the huge amount of elderly who come here to AVOID living in towns and cities where they hardly recognise the people anymore due to massive influx of migrants.
There is NO data for that, yet IF you chat to many such people, they will tell you that THAT is why they moved here.
So, immigration has a serous ‘knock on’ effect for the Island, it doesn’t have to have such directly moving here, but as we see that occurs too.
Surely even the most lefty can see if a country allows in dirt poor people with no means of buying a home, and who have large families compared to the indigenous, then the cost of buying a home in a country where land is expensive, will fall on all of the indigenous to fund.
One or two of the new family working taxes will not cover their child allowance let alone free NHS education and the cost of subsiding their rent, let alone the cost of building a home and one less for the indigenous to live in. So MORE countryside lost.
THINK even if you dont agree, THINK
Because moving to escape war is bad and moving to avoid those escaping war is good?
It’s you who needs to “THINK”.
Considering the figures given by Smiffy are correct (They are, I’ve checked them) the only conclusion that can be drawn is that you are referring to pensioners when you talk about “unwanted freeloaders”.
My mother and father both Bosnian who came to this island and lived and worked on the island ,son me a royal marine served in Afghanistan,I’m one of those who will be getting one of those houses , and I work locally my wife is a nurse who iam sure has dealt with morons like you ,if mr islander you would like spill you’re racist language to me and my family a meeting can be arranged ,but there again I’m sure hiding behind youre computer that meet will never happen
Andriel, I would just like to say, Thankyou for your service, Working in Afghanistan. Thankyou for trying to keep the world safe, your a star!!!
I, too, would like to meet “wighter”.
Happy to make racist and xenophobic comments when he knows he can’t be identified but, almost certainly, too cowardly to say them to your face.
Thank you for your service to this country.
It’s not just people in receipt of social support benefits!!! Anyone can apply for social housing, infact more people that work live in affordable social housing and just to put you straight…social housing is not run by local councils their independent businesses. A higher percentage of people start off in social housing than private. As long as you have a roof over you and your families head, that’s all that matters. When people like you kick the bucket the better life will be for everyone!!
Most of the ones over the back have no walls just the silver foil of the timber frames
Typical island builders. Do half a job.
They spend more time in the pub.
I cannot stand all the negativity from people who on one hand complain that no affordable houses are being built then when they are built still complain.
This type of person is usually somebody that is bitter with life and are only happy when they winge.,
The island is full and these developers can go elsewhere, they are not welcome here. Enjoy 100s of mores benefits chavs ruining a once beautiful island, roads, hospital, schools and doctors surgeries at breaking point, and local islanders not being able to afford a house because they all get sold to overners.
These “benefits chavs” would be over 65 would they?
Because that is the only age group that have increased in number on the Island.
How about you check your facts before posting?
A bit surprised the council have had the brains to postpone the disruption to a major road until October…dare I say a bit of common sense knocking about.. thats a first