The Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils (IWALC) has submitted its views on the Draft Island Planning Strategy (IPS). Its submission highlights the main concerns of local parish, town and community councils.
As IWALC acknowledges, the Isle of Wight Council have consulted extensively with local councils, many of whom have also submitted their own responses.
Support for much of what’s proposed
IWALC’s submission supports most of the proposals in the Draft IPS. It welcomes the reduction in housing targets and, while wishing that it could be even lower, recognises that it will be difficult enough to convince the government to accept the proposed target of 486 a year.
It points out that accepting this target doesn’t mean that attempts to argue the case for lower numbers through other channels cannot still be pursued.
Where changes are needed
The submission suggests some parts of the Draft IPS where stronger action is needed.
Shirley Smart, IWALC’s recently appointed representative on the Isle of Wight Council’s Planning Committee, said,
“We think that more needs to be done to address the impact of climate change, enforce developers to deliver on time and take enforcement action against anyone who breaches planning regulations.
“We are also calling for financial contributions made by developers through Section106 agreements to be spent in the local area and in consultation with local councils.”
IWALC also maintains that other measures are needed to support those in the IPS.
Conyers: Urgent need for affordable rented housing
Diana Conyers, IWALC’s Chair, said,
“We are particularly concerned that these proposals will not be enough to meet the urgent need for affordable rented housing.
“Our submission calls upon the Isle of Wight Council to work with housing associations and other housing providers to find alternative ways of meeting this need. The answer, in our view, is council-owned housing.”
The submission also points out that experience in other parts of the country suggests that there are a variety of measures that can be used to address concerns about the number of second homes in some parts of the Island.
News shared by Jill on behalf of Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils (IWALC). Ed
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