Increasing Island's Housing Target "Contradicts Local Democracy" Says MP

Increasing the Isle of Wight’s annual housing target to 703 “contradicts local democracy” and is “completely impractical” – says the Conservative MP for Isle of Wight East.

Joe Robertson spoke to the press following the Planning Inspectorate’s rejection of County Hall’s proposed target of 453 new homes per year, which the independent body said cannot be justified under claims of “exceptional circumstances”.

The government’s inspectors presented the council with two options: go ahead with a short-term version of the Island Planning Strategy (IPS) which includes a higher annual target of 703 homes or start afresh by drafting a new strategy based on Whitehall’s standard method – requiring 1,100 new homes to be built on the Isle of Wight per year.

Mr Robertson said:

“The Island Planning Strategy underwent a lengthy consultation process locally, and our council submitted a version that garnered the widest possible local support.

“To be now told by the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol that we need to nearly double our annual housing target to 703 contradicts local democracy and is completely impractical.

“My bigger concern is that the government intends to establish a Combined Mayor with Hampshire, which could strip our council of its powers regarding planning strategy and push for an even larger annual housing target of over 1,000 homes.

“This poses a significant threat to the natural beauty of our Island and the independence of our local decision-making powers. That is why I am saying no to a Hampshire-based Mayor without Island residents having a say first.”

Labour MP for IW West, Richard Quigley, has also been asked for comment.