A major controversial housing development in Ryde may come back before the Isle of Wight council again — 20 months after it was given the green light.
The 473-home West Acre Park was approved in July 2021 by the Isle of Wight Council’s planning committee, but an oversight was spotted in September last year.
Solent waders
Natural England said the application failed to consider some of the Westridge Farm site — the land houses could be built on — was designated in the Solent Waders and Brent Geese Strategy.
It is a feeding ground for migration birds where curlews have been spotted.
Under the plans, Natural England says a portion of the designated land would be lost to development although the majority would remain as alternative green space.
Working to resolve the issue
The Isle of Wight council said it was working with Natural England and developers Captiva Homes to resolve the issue and is waiting for further details on mitigation proposals.
This will allow the planning authority to undertake an assessment to understand whether there are ‘likely significant effects on designated sites’ and to ensure compliance with habitat regulations.
Once the work has been completed, the council said it will move to issue a decision.
Captiva frustrated with the delays
A Captiva spokesperson said they had been frustrated with the delays in issuing the planning consent.
They now expect the council’s planning committee to hear the updates in March.
Work to begin in 2024
Subject to the consent being issued, Captiva plan to start work on the site in the summer and deliver the housing in early 2024.
If the planning permission is issued, ward representative Cllr Michael Lilley said residents forming the Save Westridge Farm campaign are ready to launch a judicial review.
He says there is a huge case of errors in the “whole planning process”.
Although the council have said the housing scheme can be built, official legal agreements have yet to be signed so development cannot start.
Lilley: A long way before any resolution
Cllr Lilley said it would be a long way before any resolution and any building starts and in the meantime, the curlews continue to feed on site.
The Holliday family, who were the tenant farmers of Westridge Farm, have now left, after campaigning to save their home and livelihood.
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
Image: joshua j cotten under CC BY 2.0
