Residents’ questions over the 473-home West Acre Park development in Ryde remain unanswered, a campaign group has said, after taking renewed legal action against the Isle of Wight Council.
Renewed legal challenge
Greenfields (IOW) has filed papers to the Court of Appeal seeking judicial review and claimed there is ‘clearly not’ sufficient funding in the scheme’s Section 106 (S106) agreement to adequately provide required road and sewage infrastructure.
A S106 is a legal obligation entered into to mitigate the impacts of a development proposal.
Construction has already begun at West Acre Park, with a previous judicial review claim over the scheme refused by the High Court.
Affordable housing plans
Earlier this year, Westridge Village (IOW) applied to County Hall to alter conditions attached to a 2025 planning consent for the estate which includes commercial space, a doctor’s surgery and a cafe.
The developer behind the plans, Captiva Homes, previously said the latest application’s purpose is to facilitate a revised affordable housing delivery strategy.
It said that subject to necessary approvals and agreements being completed, the scheme will deliver 207 affordable homes in total, representing approximately 44 per cent of all homes on the site.
Residents’ concerns
Councillor Michael Lilley, ward representative for Ryde Appley and Elmfield, said residents have raised concerns over a lack of funding and realistic plans around road infrastructure needed to sustain the development, increased traffic in the area and road safety for pedestrians.
Locals have also voiced disquiet relating to current building work, community engagement and the ‘lack of capacity’ of the current sewage and water supply network, he said.
Councillor Lilley said his request to call-in the most recent West Acre Park proposal for consideration by Planning Committee councillors was refused, with no written explanation given.
The panel’s chair, Councillor Paul Fuller, has so far declined to comment on the matter.
Councillor Lilley said Ryde needs social housing, but it must be delivered in a ‘sustainable and accessible’ way.
Developer and council response
On behalf of Westridge Village, BNG Wilson Hill previously told the council the West Acre Park proposal delivers a ‘high-quality development’ which secures an ‘essential component’ to the Island’s housing needs.
Island Roads made no objection to the latest application, subject to conditions.
Captiva Homes and the Isle of Wight Council have been approached for comment.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
