A group of Isle of Wight Councillors have stepped up their efforts and campaign to stop large-scale housing developments in Ryde and the East Wight from being built on greenfield sites.
They believe the developments are unsustainable, there is a lack of proper infrastructure and there is a serious environmental crisis being created.
Cllr Dave Adams (Seaview and Nettlestone), Cllr Phil Jordan (Ryde NW) and Cllr Michael Lilley (Ryde Appley and Elmfield) represent Wards that cover the protected coastline from Priory Bay to Ryde Pier. All 3 candidates agree with the following statements:
1) Historic greenfield sites at Penny feathers, Westridge Farm, Rosemary Vineyard, Nicolson Road, and Puckpool Hill which either have outline planning permission or currently applying for planning permission will total 1700 new houses. These sites will seriously increase nitrates washing into the sea.
2) Natural, environmental, and ecological rich and important green belt land which acts as mitigation to nitrates will be lost forever. Currently, the land is being sought by environmental charities such as Hampshire and IW Wildlife Trust to mitigate against nitrates polluting the Solent from large-scale developments near and around Portsmouth and Southampton. This does not consider mitigation for the large developments in East Wight. The potential loss of a historic and environmentally friendly farm at Westridge to 465 houses will be the straw to break the camel’s back. This application is initially scheduled to go to IWC Planning Committee on the 15th of June 2021.
3) The Sink Hole and Sewage leaks at Appley Beach highlight that the sewage and water drainage are already at full capacity and the current system operated by Southern Water cannot manage the already intended 1700 planned homes with more planning applications in the pipeline. This is an environmental disaster waiting to happen.
4) Island Roads has, in varying reports, clearly stated that the road infrastructure around Ryde linking East and South Wight is not able to take the increased traffic of over 2000 plus extra cars simply from these developments. This rise in traffic will also increase nitrate levels streaming into the Solent.
Cllr Michael Lilley states:
“This is an environmental crisis awaiting to happen and in Appley with the sink hole and raw sewage leakage. IW Council has to stand up to developers and stop large scale developments now and carry out a detailed environmental study. Once raw sewage and increased nitrates into the Solent at Seaview and Ryde wash into the Solent, the protected environment will be destroyed forever. We have to stop it now!”
The coastline from Bembridge to Ryde is one of the most protected marine and wildlife important areas in UK and large housing developments awaiting approval or have outline planning permission could seriously damage the local environment and coastline.
Cllr Phil Jordan added:
“I have consistently stated that the infrastructure and roads are incapable of withstanding the increased effects of huge housing developments in Ryde. We are sleepwalking into a nightmare scenario where endless traffic jams and simply nowhere to park vehicles is becoming a reality.
“Finding a doctor or a dentist is already extremely difficult and we know our hospital is unable to cope with patients being sent across the Solent already in increasing numbers. It has to stop now. Tomorrow is too late we must put a moratorium on large scale developments in Ryde immediately.”
Currently there is a reserved matters planning application for more new houses built on the seafront at Harcourt Sands (former holiday camp) site.
Cllr Dave Adams stated:
“Local residents in Seaview and Nettlestone object totally to large scale housing developments on greenfield sites that will simply mean coalescence between our villages and Ryde and St. Helens. We are destroying the countryside and in the case of Westridge a farm.
“Seaview and Nettlestone Parish Council has objected totally to current applications on Puckpool Hill for 50 houses, 100 houses at Eddington Road, proposals to develop the Donkey field, 20 plus houses on Gibb Well field, 465 houses at Westridge Farm and houses on Guildford Road, St. Helens. IW Council Planning have to start listening to residents.”
There is an ongoing Petition to Stop Large Scale Developments in Ryde and East Wight – http://chng.it/8p6VWxwq.
All planning should be refused, unless it is the conversion of an existing building, that has had people sleeping in it before – ie that convent or even old hotels that are no longer viable
the council do not need to stand up to developers -they just need to say no, clear off. they also need to tell the idiot in london that decides the housing strategy to shove it, as it doesn’t work here
No major developments here on the island is sustainable … look at the need of local people not government figures and greed by developers.
Not only the infrastructure but our 1 Hospital …
Doctors Surgeries…
Dentists….
Social care …
Then of course the extra pollution from all the extra traffic…
Money money money …
That’s what talks …
Let’s hope the rest of the councillors stand up and realise the island isn’t big enough ….
Job’s as well ….
We won’t be a tourist destination because there won’t be anything to see …
Apart from a concrete jungle …
.
Perfect – I was just about to comment and say exactly as you have!
It’s occurring all over the island. The ‘Sham SHLAA list’ is being exploited by land owners and their Developer chums. Wellow and Shalfleet to name but two are currently in the cross hairs.
This is not nam. This is about preserving greenfield. There are rules!
That tired old mantra much needed housing for a growing population, always being wheeled out. The house building going on is criminal and not sustainable, everywhere I drive in the south east yet more green space is being destroyed on a massive scale, it really is terrible.Same already gridlocked roads, same overburdened services and its going to be even easier for developers to throw up even more shoddy timber framed sheds soon! I fear for the beauty of the island, but dont dare anybody ask why we have a growing population..
Blimey the first time in years i have heard common sense from our councillors are things going to change at last.
There should be no new developments in Ryde.
Keep green spaces green
Why hasn’t the Haylands and Swanmore Councillor Vanessa Churchman joined forces with them, or is it something to do with the political party she represents?
Good on these three Councillors for standing up to the IWCC and developers..
I back this appeal 100% The island’s infrastructure will not be able to cope, FACT. BORIS JOHNSON and his cronies in Westminster don’t give a fig about the IOW. All he has got to say is BUILD, BUILD, BUILD. We all know he is a bafoon, totally incompetent and a liar. God help the poor little isle of wight. Build affordable homes for island families and people who have been on the waiting list for years, NO MORE SECOND HOMES!!!!!
I didn’t hear anyone defending the residents of East Cowes. Crossways site, Norris Castle, when it comes to poor old East Cowes the silence is deafening!!
That’s because it is East Cowes (good old monkey town),and not many people want to live there, sorry Louis
Unfortunately the Isle of Wight needs houses built 1000s of them, get them built build them quick, and make them cheaper for all island residents can afford. The whole housing market needs lowering, all Isle of Wight houses are over valued and the only way to lower the price of them Is to build build build. And that field in ryde is between two council housing estates.
idiot – the way to make houses more affordable on the island is to prohibit the purchase of second homes, prohibit the taxpayer funded moves by those on benefits to the island and to increase the council tax significantly on existing second homes to encourage sales.
then we move onto immigration – reduce the overall net migration to this country and voila, more housing available for locals in each area, meaning lower prices as an increase in supply on the market and no need for endless lies about building more and more
Well done Dave, Phil and Michael lets support their initiative
We need a new hospital, before anything else.
Island infrastructure can’t handle the growing population, only 1 hospital, roads are becoming congested, waiting time’s for doctors are getting longer and longer, only so many police to deal with rising crime, not enough jobs especially with many businesses closing due to covid. It’s only a small island when will people realise it can’t go on.
Yep, only a small island,only a small country, only a small planet,bring on covid, maybe,???? Who are we to destroy the planet or to play god,we are only mere custodian’s and we are crap at it!