There are just a few more days for Islanders to lodge their comments on a revised planning application for 80 dwellings on land south of Westridge Farm, Hope Road, Ryde.
Comments lodged with the previous application still stand, but residents are being invited to have their say on the amendments.
Protection for endangered species
Objectors argue Westridge Farm and surrounds is “one the few remaining parts of its [the Island] ancient agricultural history that has remained undisturbed and unchanged for centuries”.
Concerns have been raised about traffic, parking and infrastructure. The destruction of mature Oak trees and centuries-old established hedgerows, as well as protection of red listed endangered and/or protected species is cited.
Objectors argue the Bat survey carried out by the developer should have taken place over ten days, not three. Adding that as we are now at the end of the Bat season, “some may already have gone into hibernation and so the survey may not give a clear picture of the population”.
At time of publishing over 200 comments had been lodged.
Save Westridge Farm
The Save Westridge Farm group have been active this year opposing plans to build over 80 dwellings on land that has been farmed for over 700 years.
In September they ran a campaign with scarecrows around the area to raise awareness of the proposal.
David Marshall, a member of the ‘Save Westridge Farm Action Group’ has lived next to the farm for fifty years and has witnessed the loss of seven milk producing dairy farms within a mile radius.
He said,
“With Westridge Farm now the only working dairy farm left in the area and one of only nine dairy farms left across the whole Island producing milk, I believe it is essential we save it for future generations.
“I fear the consequences of the planning proposal to build over 80 properties on part of the farm will be closure of the farm and more large scale housing development across all of its fields.”
Have your say
Comments can be lodged via the council’s Planning Website. Public comments are open until close of business on Friday 25th November.
