Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely is urging members of the Isle of Wight Council to make use of the new powers he has won for the Island to argue for exceptional circumstances in planning and housing. Mr Seely recently won a commitment from the Government – set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) – giving the Isle of Wight Council the opportunity to plead ‘exceptional circumstances’ as an island separated by sea. He said the changes in the NPPF mean the Isle of Wight will be expected to argue its case to be treated differently when it comes to planning policy because of its unique island status. The Island’s MP said he now urges the Isle of Wight Council to use the powers he has won in the Island’s Planning Strategy, or Island Plan. This document sets housing numbers and where new homes will be built on the Island. He’s said:
“It is common sense that an island, especially one as unique as the Isle of Wight, should be able to set its own housing targets. I don’t know why we have not had this right for decades, but we have got it now. “The changes set out in the NPPF mean that islands separated by sea will be expected to argue for ‘exceptional circumstances’. “If councillors choose to use these powers, and I would strongly encourage them to do so, the council can prioritise homes for Islanders and protect our natural landscape. “We will no longer be required to build to mandatory national targets, we can agree local ones. The changes also allow us to retain local style and character and there are further protections for agricultural land used for food production, making it harder for developers to build on it. “This is a really important win for the Island and I’m keen to see councillors now making some decisions about what they are going to do next. “The way I see it councillors have two options – to adopt the current draft plan and instruct the Planning Department to begin work on a new methodology and a new target, making use of the exceptional circumstances clause, or start the Island Planning Strategy process again. Both options have pros and cons, but the decision is ultimately up to councillors to decide. “Adopting the plan as it is gives protection against development sprawl now, whilst we re-run parts of the process to make use of our new freedoms. A new plan would ensure that Exceptional Circumstance is adopted from the start, as well as other new elements of the NPPF, such as protection of the Island’s character and the importance of agricultural land.”
This is part of the Tories ‘operation shift blame’. They are the ones with the power and the ones in government. Trying to make out the housing crisis is due to planning departments in the council is a lie. It’s the government that has caused this and the government alone. In the past it has been governments that created housing schemes not local councils. The councils are not your scape goats bob.
Hard to see how you find that this is a negative thing. We should be welcoming an end to all of this unnecessary housing development just to meet unrealistic government targets (and line the pockets of greedy developers). The council should now do as suggested and set low targets to only meet the need to replace houses because we have a shrinking population. There is no need to build more houses that would only be bought be mainlanders as second homes.
anther one who is thinking ££££ for himself
Oh look,or useless mp is passing the buck,YOU should be aggressively pursuing this in PARLIAMENT!
your stupidity is on another level!
As cheeky s*ds go, this boy takes the biscuit! Which party has been the most intransigent in delaying approval of housing decisions and planning policy? Answers on a postcard – no, don’t bother.
I have a plan for the island
No.1 stop increasing Council tax, the island are already one of the most expensive in the
Country.
No.2 stop charging locals and tourists to pay to use toilets.
No. 3 stop charging 24/7 364 days a year parking charges along seafronts.
No.4 Reduce parking charges at St.Marys Hospital.
No.5 Reduce Annual Green Waste charges.
What does the Council do for Island residents ?????!!!!!
so where does the council’s income come from?
Pop up Bob it stuck in the same hole as the Island Deal you promised, and never to see the light of day ..Sir .. you are so fake ..
No one faces up to reality. The housing crises is because we don’t build enough houses. Making it difficult to build makes house prices rise as there is a shortage. Of course that’s the real reason people object. Then they pretend to be sad young people can’t afford a house to rent never mind buy. But they are just lazy and spend too much on Fancy coffees!
There are plenty of houses but people on the island seem to think that they should be paying next to nothing for a three-bed detached in Bembridge. Buy what you can afford and gradually move up the ladder like the rest of us did. You can buy a flat in Newport for less than 100k and a house for less than 150k. That is very cheap.
Trust HIM to start showing his face around when there’s an election coming up. And of course his main topic HOUSING. No thought for the many trying to get a roof over their heads
What a clown I am surprised people still vote for him