A packed meeting of the Niton and Whitwell Parish Council came out against plans to build 54 houses on greenfield land.
The planning committee of the Parish Council unanimously voted to object to the application, submitted by Tallulah Estates, for the village’s Ladyacre Farm.
The landowner, who spoke at the meeting, said they were developing the land to use the money to make improvements to the farm which would benefit their children and grandchildren.
One disgruntled resident, who believed their health had improved immensely since moving to Niton, said the new housing would bring drug and alcohol abuse to the area. Another said they had dodged a bullet with the flooding in the last few weeks and that the village would have to be very careful if they wanted to keep avoiding the issues seen not too far away in Ventnor.
With the Isle of Wight Council planning department currently under the presumption in favour of sustainable development, members of the public had expressed concerns about whether there would even be a point to objecting.
Councillor Ali Logan said the council had grounds to refuse the development but suggested the parish council looked into proposing a suitable alternative by way of a community land trust or community benefit society. Cllr Logan said if the parish council were to borrow money to build houses, they could control who lived there and rent them out to local families, and also build what was suggested in their local housing plan.
Cllr Jon Boileau Goad said houses should be built but these plans should be rejected, allowing them to reflect on what they did want.
Cllr Tim Addison reflected the views of many residents at the meeting when he said Niton’s infrastructure is ‘at best clearly fragile and at capacity’. He said the village had once been known as a sustainable rural hub but he could not see how, with the closure of Undercliff Drive, they could call it a hub anymore.
Mentioning the likelihood of flooding, and a lack of evidence in the plans to see how the drainage would be properly managed, Cllr Addison said the field had been used to grow watercress in the past, which was indicative of the site now.
A resident of Pan Lane, which the farm is on, said it was a faulty application as it was near a watercourse, with a spring in the field, continuing under properties and into the Eastern Yar. The resident said the small pump that is proposed to combat the issue would not cope.
Other issues to be used in the council’s objection include the lack of parking and narrow pedestrian access, lack of lighting and no wheelchair access.
The Island’s MP Bob Seely was at the meeting and explained to residents the flaws with the current planning procedures and ways he and the Isle of Wight Council were trying to fight the national policies.
Isle of Wight Council representative for Chale, Niton and Shorwell, Cllr Claire Critchison, was at the meeting but remained neutral with the hope to speak at the IWC’s planning committee meeting when the application is decided.
Comments on the planning application, 21/00793/OUT, can be submitted until Friday 6th August.
Unfortunately they’re most likely wasting their time, but well done to all for showing up, and Good Luck. From a Ryde resident.
I agree with you seeing as the council posted that their hands are tied and basically they said any objections are a waste of time.
It’s a shame the Island can’t break away from this government and be self governing, more like the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Someone did try for Independence for the Island a good few years ago, I wonder what happened to that? Mind you, given the ineptitude of those in positions of authority down here, who ever would be able to govern it? There certainly needs to be NO MORE HOUSE BUILDING ANYWHERE ON OUR ISLAND.
Cllr Claire Critchison, was at the meeting but remained neutral with the hope to speak at the IWC’s planning committee meeting when the application is decided ~ Kind of a bit useless even attending the meeting really if you keep quiet until its been decided…remaining neutral??? the only reason Cllr Claire Critchison was elected was to have an opinion, makes ‘ A green future for Chale, Niton and Shorwell, everything we do makes a difference’ look a bit lame.
Look at the picture, all old folk who already own a house and like to see it’s value go up. Meanwhile our children, born and bred on the island are force to move to the mainland. Well done NIMBY lot, you’re killing the island.
I don’t think people have trust that new housing is being built for local needs, and transparency about this is a major issue.
I’d be surprised if there is a machiavellian plot by old folk to push up house prices by restricting supply.
And take a look at average house prices on mainland South East Fred, after you’ve had breakfast!
The lack of permanent jobs over there is the much bigger issue, which doesn’t seem to get much press coverage compared to housing.
No, it’s the greedy developers who are doing that. Their beady little eyes light up with evil glee and money signs every time they see a bit of greenery in the landscape. Oh look a few trees and bushes around, a few birds and insects flying about. Well there won’t be once we’ve finished building all the “much needed homes” and covered this little Island with concrete and turned it into a concrete rock surrounded by sea while we are relaxing somewhere idyllic elsewhere enjoying the proceeds of our wonderfully destructive work. And hey, all the poor underprivileged kiddy widdies will have their little boxes to live in.