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Isle of Wight Council 'Planning Bible' Delayed Again

The Isle of Wight’s ‘planning bible’ could be delayed again — this time to make way for national reforms.

In November, the Isle of Wight Council’s draft Island Planning Strategy (IPS) hit a wall, after the majority of councillors sent it back to the leader of the authority, Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox, to reconsider.

The 15-year plan would set the council’s housing targets, outline employment space and create new planning policies.

Among the reasons it was returned were the suggestions it should include:

  • a clear commitment to use land the authority owns to build social homes for Islanders.
  • a time limit for legal agreements to be signed or permission would be refused.
  • an affordable rented housing definition.

In sending it back, the council’s cabinet had to return the plan to full council by the start of February.

Since the decision, however, Michael Gove, the government’s levelling up, housing and communities secretary announced a consultation on reforms to the national planning policy framework.

Some of the proposals could see changes to the way local plans are made, the calculation of housing need and a requirement for timely building within the housing market.

The national consultation closes on March 2 and could come into force in spring 2023.

Cllr Paul Fuller, the cabinet member for planning, is seeking an extension to the IPS deadline until the end of June, at the latest, so the plan can incorporate any of the changes made to the national policy.

In a report going to full council, officers say given the significance of the national consultation, sufficient time to consider its implication to the draft IPS should be given.

Officers would review details of national consultation and relay potential implications for the IPS to councillors in the coming weeks.

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