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This from Cllr Andrew Garratt, Isle of Wight Councillor for Parkhurst and Hunnyhill (Liberal Democrat). Ed
I’ve noted with great concern the Conservative Group’s proposals for the Island Planning Strategy, particularly in its references to “Camp Hill”.
Their document refers to Camp Hill, as defined in the draft strategy published in 2021.
Camp Hill site includes greenfield land
It’s important to understand that the reference to “Camp Hill” is not just that of the former prison building, but of green fields to the west and north that border Parkhurst Forest, which has designations of environmental importance, and other Ministry of Justice (MoJ) land around the prisons.
Former housing allocation
As well as an allocation of 1,200 on this MoJ land, the 2021 draft has an allocation of a further 240 on three nearby sites on Noke Common and Horsebridge Hill. These include green fields.
The total allocation in this small area would be 1,440.
Environmental impact and the pressure on infrastructure
The 2022 revised strategy recognised the concerns set out by local residents and myself in the council’s consultation.
These concerns are both in terms of the environmental impact and the pressure on infrastructure and services.
Revised strategy has lower allocation
The revised strategy has a lower allocation to the former prison and surrounding MoJ land of 750, though there was an increase in the total for the other three sites to 275.
The development boundary was also drawn away from the forest edge, though still covering some green fields.
Overall, the revised strategy proposes a housing allocation of 1,025, compared to the 1,440 which appears to be favoured by the Conservative proposals.
Conservative proposals impact green fields
I have written to the leader of the Conservative Group, Cllr Joe Robertson, setting out these concerns.
I have offered to walk him and members of his group around the area so that they can appreciate the impact their proposals would actually have on green fields, on environmentally important sites in the forest, and in building further pressure on infrastructure and services in this part of Newport.
Lower lower housing allocation needed
A sensible and lower housing allocation than even that set out in the 2022 draft strategy is needed, combined with an overarching masterplan for the area.
I hope that this will be recognised and taken up by the Conservative Group.
See page 31 in document below for 2021 boundary
