Increased local control of planning decisions, a move away from national government targets, increased protection of our local environment and the creation of more affordable housing are some of the many ‘wins’ that will be delivered if the Full Council agrees the Draft Island Planning Strategy next week, say councillors.
The meeting, which is to be held on 5th October will see councillors vote on whether or not to approve the draft Island Planning Strategy – that is to shape the development of land over the next 15 years.
However, there are calls for the meeting to be delayed as many councillors who oppose the strategy will be attending the Conservative Party Conference on the same day.
Councillor Paul Fuller, Cabinet member for planning, has said:
“Passing the Island Planning Strategy will provide an opportunity to have lower housing number than we’ve had since the mid-1990s and enable us to refuse more planning applications on principle.
“It will also allow us to try to secure deeper discounts from market values for our affordable housing, making it more affordable for more island residents.
Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet member for the environment and climate change, highlighted the environmental importance of the plan. He said:
“It will enable us to increase levels of protection to the countryside and direct more developments to brownfield sites.
Article continues below this advertisement “It will ensure that new housing being built is “net zero” helping to combat climate change and reduce energy use and also enable us to create new policies dealing with specific elements of environmental protection.”
Councillor Fuller added:
“Adopting the current draft will increase our ability to refuse inappropriate development. The Island Planning Strategy will put the council in a much stronger position.
“We should move this forward so we can move to the formal stage of seeking public representations and then submit our strategy to the process of consideration by a Government Inspector.”
If the draft is approved by Full Council it will enable the plan to move through a rigorous statutory process set by national Government, with the local authority publishing the document and seeking public representations that will then be considered by a Government inspector appointed to consider the content of the plan.
A process, including public hearings, will then follow, before a final report is produced. Throughout the process, the Isle of Wight Council will retain control. It will have the opportunity to accept or reject the plan based on the inspector’s recommendations.
Oh well, if our Councillors say so,…. it MUST be true! Perhaps we could be allowed to see all the details BEFORE telling us all how lucky we are because many of us have long memories and little trust.
So how will I benefit from having 127 houses built at the end of my garden?
The occupants of which will all want to register with your GP (If you have one)
Not anymore…it’s whoever is available after you’ve explained your problem to the receptionist, then the nurse practitioner…
It will only benefit Islanders if house building is curtailed until essential services, especially health care ie Doctors and Dentists, are brought up to Government recommended levels commensurate with the population. Presently woefully short.
THE ISLAND itself will not benefit from any progressive housing strategy unless it’s a de-scaling of existing stock and return to nature strategy. Get that right.
New properties are not needed.
Use abandoned properties and old hotels and use them.
2 empty properties on the corner of Marlborough Road Ryde,
Plus many old empty Hotels that could be converted into flats etc.
Stop taking away the beautiful countryside.
And the government inspector will do what he’s told by central government, and so it goes on…..
Are these the same guys who brought us the new chain ferry ?
Under the island are years worth of jobs (well paid) and serious supply chain demand but they ignored that due to the old farts who live in the past. They could have created vast wealth for the island with a , whats it called and effective planning strategy…….
More and more houses, what benefit is that?