Isle of Wight council planning officers are recommending conditional approval of a 55 dwelling development on the outskirts of Brighstone village. The application will be heard by the Planning Committee on Tuesday 10th March.
The ‘Blanchards’ development, highlighted through OnTheWight previously, raised fierce opposition from villagers, attracting almost 300 comments on the council’s Website.
Officers insist development will meet local need
Officers say information submitted with the application demonstrates the development would meet a local need and future demand within Brighstone.
They go on to say the layout and scale of the development would be acceptable for this site, and that it would not have an unacceptable impact on the amenities of neighbouring residents, highway or drainage infrastructure, or features of historical or environmental interest.
Villagers disagree
The same view is not held by villagers, Many also met in the village yesterday (Wednesday) to protest at the proposal.
Cllr Bob Seely told OnTheWight,
“I am extremely disappointed by this recommendation, which I will be fighting on behalf of my residents.
“I believe that the decision goes against national planning policy. The National Policy Planning Framework clearly states: Planning permission should be refused for major developments in … designated areas except in exceptional circumstances and where it can be demonstrated they are in the public interest.
“There are no ‘exceptional’ circumstances here, bar arbitrary Government targets. It is not in the public interest.
“Second, this recommendation ignores localism. That it is being pushed through whilst our Neighbourhood Plan is being developed makes a mockery of local democracy. It is also deeply unpopular locally. The Council received 262 local responses from individuals and families. Some 275 people were against the development, six uncommitted and three in favour. In percentage terms that is 98 percent against, one percent undecided and one percent- yes, just one percent – in favour.
“Third, it is not sustainable. The developer’s housing assessment was widely out of kilter with Brighstone’s own assessments. We don’t need anything like the number of houses suggested. This is a speculative development.
“More generally, for half a century we have based our Island economy on build, build, build. It hasn’t worked. Too much development damages tourism. We need more jobs, not more housing estates. This is another example of a failed model of development.
“It is quite clear that this development is not in the public interest and that there are no exceptional circumstances.”
Full details in the papers embedded below. Click on the full screen to see larger version.
