A major Ryde development is back before planners as its future looks set to be determined once again.
Despite being approved nearly two years ago, the future of West Acre Park, on the former Westridge Farm, is still undecided as the Isle of Wight Council’s planning committee prepares to meet.
In waiting since July 2021
The application has been in waiting since July 2021, due to legal matters.
At a meeting in March, councillors were left confused by issues concerning the loss of curlew habitat.
Mitigating factors for the curlew
Some members of the committee believed they had to determine a condition surrounding mitigating factors for the curlew — including an alternative green space — but were told that was not the case.
The entire 473-home West Acre Park development is therefore up for reconsideration, along with the conditions for curlews.
Approve or reject
That means the planning committee could, among other options, grant approval for the site again or refuse the major development, proposed by Captiva Homes.
Work has been unable to start on the 473 homes as final details were being ironed out which meant, legally, permission could not yet be granted.
88 homes already built
The site, if approved, would expand on the already built 88 homes at West Acre Park.
The family who have been behind Westridge Farm for multiple generations, the Holliday’s, have now left the site.
Concerns had been raised about the planning process by a campaign group against the development, Save Westridge Farm, which, if the application is approved and permission granted, has said it would seek a judicial review.
The planning committee will meet at 4pm tomorrow (Tuesday).
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
