This in from Andrew Turner’s office in their own words. Ed
The Island’s MP, Andrew Turner was a speaker at the AGM for the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) earlier this month.
The topic for Mr Turner’s talk was the National Planning Policy Framework, introduced earlier this year by the Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, Minister for Planning.
The new system sets out to simplify the planning process making it less complex and more accessible. It also provides a framework which local people and town and parish councils can use to produce their own neighbourhood plans, reflecting the needs and priorities of their communities and protecting their distinct characteristics.
Concern over greenfield land zoned as industrial
Mr Turner said, “Neighbourhood plans will develop a vision for our towns, villages and rural areas. People will have more options to say, for instance where they would like housing to be built. I believe many will decide they want brown field sites developed first, rather than places like Pennyfeathers – an undeveloped area of countryside close to Ryde.
“I am also concerned that in the current Island plan, large sections of green field land are zoned as industrial when alternative brown field sites are available which should be used first.”
Proposed Asda store
Mr Turner also commented on the proposed Asda Store at Pan Meadows, saying, “The impact on local shops and the loss of a green field site should certainly be considered before considering whether another out-of-town supermarket should be approved. Under the new planning arrangements this will be possible, and local views can be taken into account”.
Mr Turner also presented CPRE awards, including for lighting to protect dark skies in rural areas.
Image: Will Scullin under CC BY 2.0
