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Westridge Farm / West Acre Park

The land at Westridge Farm is recorded as having been farmed for centuries.

A planning application for 473 houses by Captiva Homes – named West Acre Park – loomed over the tenant farmers, The Hollidays, who have been farming the land for over 50 years.

The Isle of Wight council Planning Committee approved the plans on 27th July 2021. In April 2025, the Court of Appeal upheld an appeal by Greenfields (IOW) Ltd on a single procedural point, meaning planning permission was officially quashed. The application is set to be reconsidered by the planning committee.

Below are articles relating to the application.

5, September 2022·2 min read

Most reservations for housing at West Acre Park are by Islanders

Figures released by Captiva Homes, say 80 per cent of the property reservations at West Acre Park have come from Islanders and 45 per cent from Ryde itself

30, August 2022·3 min read

Resigning: Previous head of planning committee says concerns, distrust and doubts about controversial planning decisions means he’s now standing down from committee

Cllr Lilley claims that the recommendation to remove potential housing development sites from Bembridge in the Island Plan influenced the way members voted on the motion to call-in West Acre Park application

29, July 2022·2 min read

Anniversary of Westridge Farm planning decision and still no consent given, say campaigners

Jenna Sabine said that although the farm is sadly ceasing, it is still an historic and viable and sustainable farm and that the recent heatwave showed the importance of local food production

Save westridge farm painted sign with cows

1, May 2022·1 min read

Westridge Farm: Parish council donate £750 to judicial review crowdfunder

Nettlestone and Seaview Parish Council say they are concerned the development would merge Ryde with Nettlestone and Seaview

1, April 2022·2 min read

West Acre Park campaigners: We have a solid case for Judicial Review – help us raise more funds

Campaigners believe they have a 'solid case' for Judicial Review and plan to move on this once the formal planning permission for West Acre Park has been granted

29, March 2022·8 min read

Planning Committee members vote on motion to recall West Acre Park 473-home development back to committee (update 2)

The motion was not seeking to overturn the Planning Committee's decision, but was focused on the process leading up to that decision being made, said Cllr Jarman

28, March 2022·2 min read

West Acre Park: Decision day for 473-home development as it’s discussed at planning committee

The fate of the West Acre Park planning application could be determined at Tuesday's committee meeting, or will it result in heated discussions once again?

Inset photos of Michael Lilley and Geoff Brodie with county hall in the background

2, March 2022·2 min read

Heated discussions in and out of council chamber result in security escorts for two councillors

Tensions escalated further after the meeting when angry words were exchanged resulting in security escorts for both councillors

24, February 2022·3 min read

West Acre Park: Call for 472-home development on Westridge Farm to go back the Planning Committee

Calls are being renewed for the West Acre Park planning application to go back to the Planning Committee before formal permission is granted

Cllr Michael Lilley presenting the competition winners

26, January 2022·5 min read

Save Westridge Farm campaign has been a real community voice to preserve our identity and connection between a town and the countryside

"The Save Westridge Farm campaign will continue until resolution can be found based on what local residents want, need and wish to do" says Cllr Michael Lilley

Claire Critchison standing on Undercliff Drive

26, January 2022·1 min read

Westridge Farm: Motion to recall application withdrawn at last minute

Cllr Claire Critchison explains to News OnTheWight why she decided to withdraw her motion to recall the planning application back to the Committee

Three generations of the Holliday family at Westridge Farm

25, January 2022·1 min read

Westridge Farm: Tenant farmers ‘have no fight left’, are ‘broken and have simply had enough’

The message from the Hollidays explains that "we as a family are broken and we have simply had enough". They thank their supporters, but say they cannot go on any longer

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