Residents living in the Ryde East ward, together with Councillor Michael Lilley, have set up a monthly meeting to invite developers, council officers and agencies such as Island Roads to talk to them about the ‘development issues’ in the ward.
The area has been dubbed ‘development alley’ with over 1,000 new homes set to be built and other schemes in the pipeline, as well as further development to the Nicholson Road industrial estate. However, the developments all fall within the Island plan and many have already obtained planning permission.
The first meeting, which was held on 4th January, saw 31 local residents attending. The meeting focused on the Isle of Wight Council’s vision and plans for Nicholson Road site off Great Preston Road. Assistant Director of Regeneration at Isle of Wight Council, Reneira O’Donnell, presented the Council’s plans and vision for the current site and answered local residents’ questions.
Cllr Lilley, who is the local Green councillor for Ryde East has said:
“My monthly ward meetings have involved local residents’ concerns about the large number of houses being built in the area and that other than the information when planning applications are made, feel they are kept in the dark.
“Council officers feel they don’t have a role in post decisions and that it is up to local people to make their own links with developers. I have challenged this view and feel that the Isle of Wight Council has an important role in building bridges with communities and developers.
“I want to see an improved communication between developers and local residents so that there is a more consensus on these developments and how they go forward. Ryde East Resident’s Panel is a message to developers to come and talk”.
Jenny Wade, a local resident has said:
“This was an excellent forum for local residents to question and discuss with someone involved in a forthcoming planning application in their own ward concerns before it gets too far up the planning chain. If it means all parties (local residents, developers and planning officers) engage with each other at a very early stage then I feel this should be the way forward. It’s the first time it has happened but I very much hope to see many more of these meetings rolled out across the whole Island”.
The next Ryde East panel meeting will be held at St John’s Church Hall on High Park Road on 1st February at 19:00 and will focus on the Pennyfeathers development. The meeting on 1st March (also at 19:00) will look at the Westridge Farm/Hope Road development.
