Members of the Isle of Wight council’s Planning Committee yesterday (Tuesday) rejected plans for a housing development on the outskirt of Brighstone.
The revised ‘Blanchards’ application for 55 dwellings attracted fierce opposition from villagers but officers had recommended conditional approval.
Cllr Bob Seely, told OnTheWight,
“I want to congratulate the people of Brighstone on a battle well fought by many residents. There was an overwhelming opposition locally to this development. It was a pleasure to campaign with residents and on their behalf.
“I believe that this application was against the spirit of localism, against the wishes of the village and parish, and contradicted planning policy. It is an important victory because it shows councilors are willing to oppose major developments in an AONB. It’s a victory for common sense.
The applicant insisted the development would meet a local need for housing.
Seely: “It was just too large”
Cllr Seely went on to say,
“We all understand the need for sensitive, gradual development. We opposed this development because it was a major development in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – it was just too large. It is in a very special and beautiful part of the Island.
“I call on the developer and agent to open a conversation with the community of Brighstone over the future of the Blanchard’s Field site. We need to find a good use for the field that fits both the needs of the community.
“I am asking the developer to stop presenting schemes that do not have the support of the Brighstone community and which do not accord with the spirit of localism. I want them to work with my residents, not against them.
Common sense from Planning Committee
He finished by saying,
“I want to thank Planning Committee members for the common sense they showed in rejecting this proposal. I understand why some members supported this application, but it was wrong for our community. We need small-scale development which is sensitive to our environment. If we keep developing in rural areas we will ruin them. There needs to be a balance.
“More broadly this, in my opinion, was yet another example of a ‘build, build, build’ model of development which we have tried for half a century and which has failed the Island. We need more jobs, not more housing estates.”
According to a CP report the plans were rejected by seven votes to five.
