830 new homes, a new supermarket, a national chain hotel and a care home could be built in Ryde under new plans being put forward by those behind Pennyfeathers. For the past 17 years there has been talk of developing a whole new area of Ryde on land off Brading Road, with a formal planning application submitted in 2013 – and refused – before a second application was submitted in 2014. Outline planning permission was eventually granted in 2017 with a reserved matters subsequently application lodged in 2022. But in April 2023 Councillors went against the Council officer’s recommendation of approving the application. It was said at the time that the decision would be taken to the Planning Inspectorate as the outline consent had expired, meaning the developers could not submit another 2nd-stage application in the hopes of gaining consent. Now, more than 12 months on, it appears that costly move hasn’t happened and therefore new plans are being proposed effectively starting the planning process again, which sets the Pennyfeathers scheme back by 10 years. 
The proposed scheme that has become so familiar with locals appears to have been completely changed, with developers going back to the drawing board to put together plans they feel are ‘better suited for the area’. There is now no mention of a school, a car garage or a community centre. Instead, commercial space will be created for a national chain hotel, a coffee shop, a care home and a budget supermarket – thought to be Lidl. However, significant green space will be retained and highway changes at Westridge Cross will take place. It’s said that 35% of the 830 homes would be considered affordable housing. Previously, over 900 homes were set to be built. These 830 homes would be in addition to 450 homes set to be built close by at West Acre Farm, taking the total number of new homes in the area to 1,300. 
“We listened to comments from residents and councillors and went back to the drawing board. We have some exciting plans which include major improvements to local roads, a reduction in housing levels and new commercial space delivering new local jobs”.
”Residents are urged to come and find out more and leave their feedback – more importantly what they would like to see on the community land which forms part of the scheme. This will help shape final plans before they are submitted to the Isle of Wight Council for consideration later in the year.”
A new project website has been set up which will go live on 10th July at 15:00 – www.pennyfeathers.co.uk.
