The Island’s MP has called on members of the Isle of Wight Council to reject plans to build 473 houses on farmland at Westridge Dairy Farm in Ryde – the East Wight’s last remaining viable dairy farm.
The plans – which have been put forward by planning officers for conditional approval – will go before the Isle of Wight Council’s Planning Committee on Tuesday (27 July) where a decision will be made.
In a letter to all Councillors, Bob Seely said it was the wrong time to approve the application because the new Island Plan – due out for consultation shortly - would show that much of Ryde’s housing allocation had already been met through outline or full approval meaning these additional houses were not needed.
He said approving the application now would set a precedent for the future application of the Island Plan before it had been consulted on.
So far, the plans for Westridge Farm have been met with around 570 objections including those from CPRE Isle of Wight, the Mayor of Ryde, Cllr Michael Lilley, Ryde Town Council, Ryde Society, Nettlestone Village Association, Pondwell Residents Association, the NFU and the Island’s MP. In addition, a petition to save the farm from development has been signed by over 4,700 people.
Mr Seely said:
“The strength of local feeling on this application is overwhelming and I have seen no local support for this development.
“The plans will undermine the Island’s environment and character and there is no guarantee that granting permission for these homes will support Island residents.
“We need an Island Plan that takes into account local communities and local need and seeks to rule out opportunistic greenfield applications from developers who care little about the Island. I urge members of the Planning Committee to reject this application.”
Mr Seely has also urged Councillors to reject the application for 70 homes at Shalfleet – referring to it as another unsustainable greenfield development.
He added: “It’s time to make a stand and change the way we approach planning and housing on the Island.”
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