A Newport councillor has vowed to "fight in every way" he can as a petition to prevent houses being built on Seaclose Park surpasses 2,000 signatures.
Cllr Matthew Price has reaffirmed his commitment to stopping the proposals, which form part of the Newport Harbour Masterplan.
As Isle of Wight Radio previously reported, if the development is approved more than 40 houses could built at the entrance to Seaclose Park.
The land is currently occupied by Fairlee Service Station, and is also used by the Isle of Wight Festival on a yearly basis.
Proposals to build on land at Seaclose Park.
Cllr Price, whose ward is Newport North, said putting Seaclose Park in plans to develop the harbour does not make sense. He said he wants that element removed before proposals proceed.
Speaking to Isle of Wight Radio, he said:
"Seaclose Park has been used for recreation and leisure for generations, with previous uses as a cricket ground, lots of football on the fields, previously a swimming pool. We've got a Netball pitch, a tennis court, a skate park - it's used constantly, all day every day.
"Although this scheme doesn't actually build over those areas that are constantly used for sports. It changes the park completely."
Thousands have already backed a petition set up by Cllr Price to have the plans amended. This was created online, as opposed to in paper format due to the coronavirus pandemic.
As previously reported, members of the council's Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Neighbourhoods and Regeneration decided against reviewing the controversial plans.
According to the Island's Local Democracy Reporter, at the meeting the council's director of regeneration, Chris Ashman, argued the entrance to Seaclose was ‘informal green space at best’ and not protected by planning restrictions.
Cllr Price said the land was vital to the Isle of Wight Festival:
"The elements that the Isle of Wight Festival use, must not be used. The festival is critical to the Island's event calendar and economy.
"Seaclose Park is by far the most well-used and most high profile park on the Isle of Wight. For that reason alone, we must not even be considering development."
They are currently in the final draft phase and will now go to the Isle of Wight Council's Cabinet in September, which will decide whether or not to adopt them.
Cllr Price hopes the council will drop the Seaclose Park element before that meeting.
The petition can be found here.
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