Isle of Wight Liberal Democrat Group has welcomed the decision by the Cabinet to accept an amendment to a draft Island Planning Strategy policy (DIPS) as it would provide greater equality for Islanders and parish, town and community councils when making valid objections to planning applications on large developments.
Lengthy discussions
The amendment came after lengthy discussions between Lib Dem councillor, Michael Lilley, planning officers, and the Cabinet member for planning.
With the acceptance of the amended wording, the Lib Dem group have said they will collectively be able to support the draft Island Planning Strategy due to be debated by the Full Council on 1st May 2024.
Lilley: We needed to get equality into the plan
Explaining the rationale behind the new wording, Councillor Michael Lilley explained,
“My ward of Ryde Appley and Elmfield has suffered for many years have what is termed allocated land/sites presented by landowners for large housing development although objected to by Ryde Town Council and thousands of residents, due to an out-dated plan and faced with further disadvantage in the proposed draft Island Plan.
“We needed wording in the plan that did not give allocated sites by landowners any more advantage than any other application. We needed to get equality into the plan.
“By working with the Cabinet Member for Planning and council officers we were able to agree new wording for the relevant section 6.15 of the draft strategy.
“I believe this this new wording now provides stronger equality for Islanders and parish, town and community councils when making valid material objection to planning applications on large developments with no exceptions and bias in favour of allocated and identified sites by wealthy landowners. It is about getting a fair deal for Islanders.”
Stuart: It offers a much better chance for the Island
Lib Dem Councillor Nick Stuart added,
“As Chair of the IW Council’s Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Neighbourhoods and Regeneration, I was extremely thorough with cross-party members in making sure Cabinet committee had recommendations that strengthen the plan for residents.
“All of our recommendations were accepted by Cabinet including ones I specifically led through on flooding and ancient woodland.
“The DIPS will never be perfect, but it offers a much better chance for the Island, especially with the new wording of 6.15, to decide its own fate so I will be supporting it.”
Revised wording
The revised wording agreed by Cabinet was:
6.15 It is important to set out that any planning application submitted including those on allocated sites, should consider all relevant policies of the Development Plan, the NPPF and any relevant legislation. While the plan has sought to avoid a lot of cross-referencing within policies, it is acknowledged that many of the policies in the plan are interlinked and therefore no one policy should be considered in isolation. If, on the planning balance, the development proposal, including all allocated sites, is unacceptable it will be refused.
News shared by Michael in his own words. Ed
