NHS Will Object To 38-House Rookley Estate Unless Developer Pays £58,771

The NHS has said it will object to a proposed 38-house estate on the edge of an Isle of Wight village unless the developer agrees to pay £58,771 towards increasing primary care infrastructure.

A letter from NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight to County Hall said Mr and Mrs Isaacson’s outline application for the new homes off Rookley’s Main Road will put excessive strain on local GP services.

Without the requested contribution to increasing infrastructure capacity, the increased pressure will put people at risk, the integrated care board (ICB) said.

“Waiting times would increase and access to adequate health service would decline, resulting in poorer health outcomes and prolonged health problems.

"Such an outcome is not sustainable as it will have a detrimental socio-economic impact.

“In addition, having no or limited access to primary care will have a knock-on effect on secondary healthcare, in particular on Emergency Department services, as those people who cannot access their primary care usually will present themselves at the Emergency Department adding additional pressure on the already stretched secondary care.

“The development directly affects the ability to provide the health service required to those who live in the development and the community at large.

“Without securing such contributions, the ICB would be unable to support the proposals and would object to the application because the direct and adverse impact that the development will have on the delivery of primary health care.”

The proposed Rookley development would comprise 35 per cent ‘affordable’ housing and make a ‘significant contribution’ to addressing the housing supply shortage, the Andrew White Planning Consultancy said.

“The new homes will be designed to a high quality and there will be a range of unit types and sizes.

“Significantly, 35 per cent of the new homes will be affordable homes, all designed to be indistinguishable from private market housing.

“This will assist in creating a mixed and balanced community.

"Providing housing and associated infrastructure on this greenfield site would sit well with the general shape of the Rookley settlement and would not jut awkwardly into the countryside.”

The Isle of Wight Council’s public consultation on application 25/01332/OUT ends on October 24 and a decision is scheduled for December 19.