Members of 18 local parish, town and community councils met with representatives from the Isle of Wight Council and local housing providers on 24 February to discuss how they can work together to increase the supply of affordable housing on the Island.
The meeting was organised by the Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils (IWALC).
Conyers: Need to explore other ways of getting the sort of housing we really need
Introducing the meeting, Cllr Diana Conyers, Chair of IWALC, said,
“We get lots of complaints from our members about housing developments imposed on them from above. They are not against housing per se.
“Their concern is that these developments don’t provide the sort of housing that local residents need or can afford.”
She acknowledged that the current planning system is partly to blame,
“But we cannot change the planning system, at least not overnight, so we need to explore other ways of getting the sort of housing we really need.”
Leader spoke passionately about the current housing crisis
The leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox, welcomed participants. She spoke passionately about the current housing crisis on the Island, particularly the need for more social housing.
“Having grown up on a large council estate in Cowes, I understand the need for social housing.
“Knowing you have a roof over your head is vital to wellbeing.”
She emphasised that the Council is determined to address this issue and to work with local councils in doing so.
Stephens: “I originally asked for £50 million”
The Cabinet members responsible for housing and planning, Cllrs Ian Stephens and Paul Fuller, were also there.
Cllr Stephens reported that the Council’s 2022/23 budget, which had been approved the previous evening, includes £40 million for housing development.
“I didn’t object to the opposition’s request to increase the amount from £25 to £40 million.
“I originally asked for £50 million!”
82 per cent reduction in the number of private properties available for rent
The nature and extent of the current housing crisis was explained by Jamie Brenchley, the Council’s Strategic Manager for Housing and Homelessness.
He said there has been an 82 per cent reduction in the number of private properties available for rent over the last two years, resulting in increasing demand for the limited stock of social housing and an unprecedented number of households in temporary accommodation. He was particularly concerned about the number of families currently in temporary accommodation, which includes 325 children.
Addressing the issues
The next three speakers focused on ways of addressing the problem.
John Prickett, the Council’s Community-Led Housing Officer, explained how local community groups, including local councils, can get technical and financial assistance to establish their own housing schemes.
Martyn Pearl, Chief Executive of Vectis Housing, the only one of the Island’s three main housing associations that is locally based, described how Vectis works with local communities to provide the sort of housing they need.
Peter Griffiths, Director of Capture Housing, a new affordable housing provider, said that it’s possible for private developers to provide more than the statutory minimum number of affordable homes. He urged local councils to negotiate with the developers on this and other concerns.
Lively debate
There followed a lively debate, in which councillors demanded to have more say in all aspects of housing development, from the assessment of need and identification of sites to the design of developments and allocation of properties.
It was agreed that, in order to meet the enormous housing challenge, it is essential that everyone work together.
News shared by Jill on behalf of IWALC. Ed
