Gurnard residents demontrating - Mark Jenkinson

Over 100 residents demonstrate against proposed development

Over 100 residents in the small parish of Gurnard turned out this morning to demonstrate at proposals to develop in what is being referred to as “the green gap”.

As reported yesterday, almost 500 residents have opposed plans to build 86 dwellings on land in Gurnard. Officers are recommending conditional permission for the development which goes to the Planning Committee on Tuesday.

One Gurnard resident told OnTheWight,

“Obviously the main discussions were over “Preserving the Green Gap”. However a huge majority just don’t feel there is a need for more housing on the Island at the moment.

“We have twice as many properties for sale on the Island per head of population compared the mainland.

“We are therefore hoping the council and MP, Mr Andrew Turner can make the government realise that their target of over 500 homes per year is not justified for the Island.”

Only eight of the 12 councillors on the planning committee took part in the site visit. As ward councillor for Gurnard, Paul Fuller, the chair of the committee, will be unable to vote at Tuesday’s meeting.