Isle of Wight residents are being invited to take part in the final consultation on a new local plan for the Island as a 6-week consultation begins.
Views are being sought on the final changes to the Draft Island Planning Strategy (IPS), which will be the new local plan that guides development and planning decisions across the Isle of Wight, providing an up-to-date and robust framework to address local priorities.
The Draft IPS is intended to replace the current Core Strategy, which was adopted in 2012.
It will set out the policies used by the council to determine planning applications and support wider corporate priorities, covering a broad range of issues including housing, environment, the economy, design and transport.
Preparation of the Draft IPS has taken place over several years and has followed a statutory process involving multiple stages of consultation and independent examination.
Since initial public consultation in late 2018 and early 2019, the plan has been refined through further consultation in 2021, submission to government in 2024, and a series of examination hearings led by independent Planning Inspectors during 2025 and 2026.
Following further hearing sessions held in April 2026, Planning Inspectors have written to the council to confirm that, subject to a series of changes known as ‘main modifications’, they consider the draft IPS can pass the national tests applied to local plans.
A six-week public consultation will now be held on these ‘main modifications’ to the IPS, ending 17:00 on 20th July. The council is carrying out this consultation on behalf of the Planning Inspectors.
All responses received will be forwarded for their consideration as they prepare their final report, which is expected towards the end of August 2026.
This marks a significant milestone in the plan-making process and represents a positive step forward for the council.
James Brewer, the council’s planning policy manager, said:
“We encourage residents to share their opinions on these final changes to the Draft IPS, which is an absolutely vital document for the future of the Isle of Wight.
“It sets out a clear, long-term vision for how we manage development, protect our environment and create sustainable communities.
“Having an up-to-date and robust local plan in place ensures we can make informed decisions and support the Island’s needs and ambitions.”
If the Inspectors conclude in their final report that the plan is sound, Full Council will then be asked to decide whether to formally adopt the IPS. This decision is currently anticipated to take place in September 2026.
If adopted, the new policies within the IPS will replace those in the existing Core Strategy and will be used in day-to-day planning decision making.
Further information about the Draft Island Planning Strategy, including details of how to respond to the Main Modifications consultation, is available on the council’s website.
Copies of the relevant documents will also be available in local libraries, at County Hall and Seaclose, and people who have previously commented on the plan will be notified of this final consultation stage.
Safer Roads should be priority
20mph is plenty unlike on the island where
60mph is plenty along residential roads