Confusion in the Isle of Wight council chamber has led to a further delay for a major controversial housing development on the outskirts of Ryde.
The West Acre Park development was due to be discussed by the council’s planning committee this afternoon (Tuesday) after further issues with the plans for 473 homes were raised.
They related to a loss of habitat for curlews and the planning committee was due to discuss whether mitigating factors — including a green space elsewhere — would be appropriate and allow the development to proceed once again.
Awaiting formal permission since July 2021
The application has been held in waiting since July 2021 when approval was given to grant planning application, but due to legal matters being discussed that has not been done — now 17 months later.
The application was not even debated by the committee as questions were raised about whether councillors were considering just the matters relating to curlews or the entire planning application.
Whole application to be reconsidered
A number of councillors commented they had misunderstood the papers and it was their view the only matter due to be discussed was the curlew issue.
Officers clarified the whole application was being considered as well as the additional matter of the curlew.
Spink: Impossible for councillors to do it justice
Cllr Peter Spink said it was impossible for councillors to do justice in considering the application as they may not have read all the documents and were not prepared.
The original report on West Acre Park presented to the committee in 2021 was not included in the papers for tonight’s meeting, but was linked in the online version.
Jarman: Not fully prepared to discuss the entire application
Cllr Chris Jarman said it had been some time since reading the original documents so he was not fully prepared to discuss the entire application tonight.
Cllr Michael Lilley, local ward councillor, said he came to the committee on the basis of discussing the curlews and was shocked they were looking at the application in its entirety.
Potter: Right to defer
Chris Potter, the council’s monitoring officer, said as it was thought further information was thought to be needed, the right thing to do would be to defer the application.
On a vote, eight councillors voted for a deferral and two voted against, which means a decision will be made in April.
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
