Although it’s been 14 months since the Planning Committee decision was made to approve 473 new homes on former farmland on the outskirts of Ryde, it looks as though formal planning permission being granted could be in near sight.
S106 paperwork with landowner for signature
The Save Westridge Farm campaign group yesterday (Monday) announced that the Section 106 legal agreement, needed prior to formal planning permission is granted, has now been sent to the landowners of Westridge Farm for signature.
As soon as the formal planning permission is granted, the campaign group’s legal team say they’re ready to immediately apply for a Judicial Review.
New submission from Natural England
However, according to the campaign group, during the last 14 months Natural England have added to their original submission and now say the Isle of Wight council “had not had due regard to the impact the proposed development might have on supporting habitat, as identified in the Solent Waders and Brent Geese Strategy”.
Campaigners say the applicant, Captiva Homes, is now in discussions with Natural England to find solution and that these will have to be submitted to the local planning authority for consideration by the relevant parties.
Application ‘might’ go back to Planning Committee
Campaigners say,
“It is expected that the Appropriate Assessment for the application (as required under the Habitats Regulations) will also need to be updated.
“This could mean the application has to come back to IW Planning Committee for consideration, as it could mean that sufficiently substantial conditions were not discussed at the initial planning committee meeting on the 29th July 2021 which must now be considered.”
“Important habitats for protected birds”
Local ward councillors are now recommending the application be recalled to the planning committee, as “this is further evidence that residents’ objections around the serious loss of supporting habitat for Curlews and Brent Geese (which are protected species), were absolutely correct”.
They say Natural England have admitted they did not identify the issue during the public consultation period and that “these green fields, close to the Solent on the East of the Wight, provide important habitats for protected birds and sustain their natural migratory rhythm”.
Image: Brent Geese nrgoodrum under CC BY 2.0 for illustrative purposes
