OnTheWight always welcomes a Letter to the Editor to share with our readers – unsurprisingly they don’t always reflect the views of this publication. If you have something you’d like to share, get in touch and of course, your considered comments are welcome below.
Cllr Joe Robertson, the Leader of the Isle of Wight Conservative councillors shares this letter sent to Cllr Ian Stephens, the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member and Cabinet Member for Community Protection, Digital Transformation, Housing Provision and Housing Needs. Ed
I am concerned by your announcement that securing and redeveloping the old Camp Hill prison is not a priority to help meet the Island’s affordable housing needs.
Whatever detailed views are held on the merits of Camp Hill, it is a “key priority site for the Council” in your own draft Island Planning Strategy. How can your Group expect to deliver on its own plan if a key site has already been effectively abandoned?
“Housing policy is in disarray”
Last month you voted against your own Cabinet Member for Planning on a motion to strengthen local decision-making powers. I share the growing concerns that the Alliance Political Group’s housing policy is in disarray.
This is bad news for the whole Island.
Focus on brownfield site
Repurposing of brownfield areas is essential to relieving pressure on greenfield sites in small towns and villages across the Island.
I understand that there may be complications to securing the Camp Hill site, but there are still avenues to explore with government.
Explore all options to secure this site
I urge you and the Alliance Group to show ambition and leadership by exploring all options to secure this site for the Island, as a priority. If not, the old prison will be at risk of being used by the Ministry of Justice or the Home Office for a purpose wholly unsuitable for the Island.
Please would you and the Cabinet Member for Planning, Cllr Paul Fuller, meet with me and Cllr Peter Spink to see how we can put the Camp Hill site back on the agenda? We would like to hear your plans and work with you for the good of the whole Island.
An Alliance Spokesperson said a full response would be sent to Cllr Robertson, but in the mean time,
“The Ministry of Justice still own the site and are in the midst of a process of reviewing their estates.
“However we have significant capacity elsewhere in three brownfield sites in respect of which we have received £949,765 under the Brownfield Land Release Fund.
“We are still talking to the Ministry of Justice however our priority must be to bring forward those brownfield sites and prepare them for use, particularly so as not to risk losing that funding.”
Article edit
8.55am 14th Dec 2021 – Comment from Alliance Group added
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