Questions Raised Over 163-Home Cowes Development Decision

Questions have been raised over why a major new housing development in Cowes did not go before the Isle of Wight Council’s planning committee for consideration.

At a meeting in County Hall on Wednesday, Cllr Peter Spink (Freshwater North and Yarmouth) questioned why an outline application for 163 homes and 4,200 square metres of commercial space on land next to Newport Road had been approved under delegated powers.

The scheme, put forward by Mr and Mrs Biles, was conditionally approved by planning officers, subject to “appropriate mitigation” being secured through a Section 106 Agreement — a legal contract between developers and the council to offset the impacts of a development.

Cllr Spink asked why the large-scale proposal, on what he described as “greenfield agricultural land,” was not referred to the planning committee “in accordance with the provisions of the council’s constitution.”

Responding, Cllr Warren Drew, the Conservative chair of the planning committee, said the development “doesn’t need to be” considered by the panel.

He explained:

“The council’s constitution sets out that, in accordance with best practice, most applications will be dealt with by officers using delegated powers, except those referred for determination by the planning committee.”

Cllr Drew outlined the criteria for referral, which include applications:

• Submitted by or on behalf of councillors or council employees

• Relating to council-owned land

• Directed to committee by the strategic manager for planning

• Or “called in” by the relevant ward councillor

He confirmed that the Cowes South and Northwood ward councillor, Cllr John Nicholson, had not called in the application.

Cllr Drew added that the strategic manager could refer applications with Island-wide significance, contentious policy issues, or significant local impact, but there is no obligation to do so in every case.

Cllr Spink, from the Empowering Islanders group, argued that the development clearly met several of those criteria.

“163 houses and 4,200 square metres of commercial use is a very major application,” he said.

“There were a significant number of objections, including from both parish and town councils, on material planning considerations.

“The size of it is sufficient to be of Island-wide concern, it clearly would have a significant impact on the locality, and it raises marginal policy issues.”

In response, Cllr Drew said the matter ultimately came down to a difference of opinion.

“We can all debate what the constitution demands and whether it’s in fact adequate — it’s a living document,” he added, confirming he would pass on Cllr Spink’s question to the strategic manager for planning.