Thanks to John Medland for this report from Friday’s Village Association meeting in Freshwater. Ed
A surprising 59 people filled Freshwater Parish Hall on Friday night despite treacherous road conditions.
They attended a public meeting to protest at the lack of consultation on the demolition of the former village school and its redevelopment into 50 houses.
Lack of officials at meeting
The Freshwater Village Association which called the public meeting had invited the Head of the IW Planning Department, the earmarked developers Spectrum Housing, the two Freshwater IW Councillors (Cllr George Cameron and Cllr Andy Sutton) and the parish council.
All declined to come. Their written statements were displayed.
Ownership of un-adopted roads questioned
Sarah Tyrell asked for contributions from the audience. Many points were raised such as the true ownership of the un-adopted roads which are partly included in the current planning application including 2m of one man’s verge and drive.
Joan Williams complained that there were already times when sewage overflowed into Queen’s Road. John Noyce said the sewers had been laid back in 1903 and no one knows where they are or can check what state they are in. According to Southern Water they are “unmapped”.
Congestion from extra traffic
Glenn Webb derided the IW Council’s position that the 50 new homes would not affect traffic congestion.
Others talked of how the road narrows, is already crowded with parked cars and of the lack of pavements.
Re-use the site rather than demolish
Another asked for the evidence of homelessness in Freshwater? Why is the IW Council intent on demolishing a popular school on an ideal site and planning to build another controversial one at Moa Place?
Why not re-use the existing site? Where are these 50 new families going to work? There were concerns about the village becoming a “dormitory town”.
Position on covenants
Steven Howe asked if there is a covenant on Camp Lodge Field? Others asked who would take care of the adjoining copse or if the great trees are protected by preservation orders?
As Camp Lodge is a playing field how can it legally be developed anyway?
Contradicting Parish Plan
Julie Webb asked why the Parish Council is contradicting its own Parish Plan of 2006 which opposed further residential development and why the IW Council is contradicting its 2012 Island Plan which states that there is a “lack of amenity space in the West Wight”?
At the end of the meeting David Evans made a call for a resolution to call for a public meeting with the Parish Council and our County Councillors. The resolution was passed unanimously. Following the meeting 39 Freshwater residents signed a petition calling for the parish public meeting.
