VentnorBlog is keen to show a number of different opinions. To that end, what follows is the opinion of Mr Robin Day of the Freshwater Village Association and does not necessarily reflect the views of opinions of this publication.
For the sake of balance we will, of course, be contacting the applicant to give them an opportunity to respond. Ed
Would you want to live here?
We all, by now, understand the threat of global warming, of rising sea levels and of more of our homes being designated as part of a flood zone by the insurance industry. Equally it is widely understood that one of the best methods of dealing with flooding is to maintain our natural wetlands that act as sponges during periods of heavy rain fall.
We are all taught that wetland habitat is a delicate balance of nature and supports a unique ecology of some of our rarest plants and animals – and hence it is in our own best interest to preserve it. Even the plans of the IOW Council recognise the fragile nature of some of our island ecosystems and make grand claims about preserving what we have for future generations.
With such a clear island eco-strategy and with a growing need to protect against flooding, can you imaging anything more ridiculous than a major housing development plan being submitted to build on a wetland marsh?
Surely the developer would recognise the absurdity of such a proposal? Surely the historic evidence of flooding in the area would deter such thoughts? Surely the council would not entertain any such notion that ran counter to all of the declared eco-plans? It would seem not.
After rejecting an earlier proposal to build a huge high density housing estate on Afton Marsh Fields in Freshwater last year the IOW Planning department have been in discussion with the developer to resubmit the proposal.
The hue and cry raised against the last proposal coupled with the clear evidence submitted against the plan by all island infrastructure, parish and environmental bodies laid down one of the mightiest public and local government rejections.
It seems though that the developer and the IOW Planning department were not listening as well as was thought. The revised plans, discussed between the Developer and IOW planning, are now available for comment.
This past week a meeting of the Freshwater Village Association was convened and the main topic of conversation was this revised planning application to turn large areas of Afton Marsh Fields at the upper reaches of the Western Yar in to a housing estate.
The precious ecology of the water meadows would be lost forever, together with the rare plants and animals they maintain. The fields are also a substantial water drainage system feeding in to the Yar and a critical part of the upper Yar flood scheme.
The local community, once again, are galvanised in to action gathering evidence, petitioning shoppers, households and every available island resource to again defeat the absurd proposal.
For those who might cry out that we need more low cost housing then just consider the vast amount of unoccupied property constructed under this banner in the past years. Much of it devoid of character, completely out of keeping with the village plan and empty.
Let us hope that this time the Developer and Isle of Wight Planning listen – otherwise we can all continue this “Groundhog Day” cycle once again.
Readers can add their comments online on the Isle of Wight Planning Web site
Please Note the closing date for comment is the 13th February
