Island Planning Strategy: What Does Inspectors' Feedback Mean For The Future?

Planning inspectors have shared their initial views to the Island Planning Strategy (IPS) following a series of public hearings.

The inspectors' letter provides their preliminary assessment of the IPS. It points out areas where the plan meets legal requirements and areas that need changes.

Their feedback is very important because it will affect how the Isle of Wight develops and what planning policies will be in place. The council's next steps will be crucial in shaping the future of the Island.

So, what exactly are the inspectors saying?

To make things clearer, Ollie Boulter, strategic manager for planning and infrastructure, and James Brewer, planning policy manager, explain in more detail through a question and answer session below.

They aim to break down the complex language and planning terms so everyone can understand what the feedback means for the Island and what the council might do next.

What have the inspectors said?

The inspectors said that they think the council has complied with the legal and procedural requirements for a new plan, so they were able to then think about the content of the plan.

While they think a lot of the plan is ok, or can be made ok with some small changes, there are some bigger things that need to be fixed to enable them to agree with the plan.

They have given the council two options:

• Withdraw the plan and start again. Or,

• Amend the plan in the way the Inspectors have suggested

Both of these options would have big implications for the Island, so will need to be fully understood and carefully considered by Full Council.

Where can I find out more information and read the planning inspectors’ letter?The

Planning Inspectors’ letter can be found online in the Island Planning Strategy Examination Documents (reference ED21) - https://iwc.iow.gov.uk/documentlibrary/download/ed21-post-hearing-letter-11-april-2025

All the information about the Island Planning Strategy and the examination is online at: https://www.iow.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/planning/island-planning-strategy/island-planning-strategy-examination/

Withdrawing - what does withdraw mean?

Withdrawing the plan would mean the council stops the process and goes back to the start on preparing a new plan.

This would be done under the government’s new planning rules, which are expected to be quicker and cheaper so it would be very different to the way that this plan has been prepared.

It would also have to start to plan for a much higher number of new homes across the Island.

Amending

What does amending mean?

This is what the inspectors have referred to as the “interim approach” in their letter.

It would mean the council making the changes the inspectors have suggested, and then those changes would be publicly consulted on. Following that there may be further examination hearing sessions where the inspectors would consider the council’s proposed changes, updated evidence base and the consultation responses.

What are the bigger amendments the inspectors have suggested?

The inspectors have said that the council will need to increase the number of new homes it should plan for from 453 every year to 703 if they want to adopt the new plan.

They also want to see changes to a document called the Integrated Sustainability Appraisal, to make it clearer how different policy approaches have been explored and considered.

The removal of a policy that looked to bring in net zero requirements for new development in advance of a national requirement to do it.

That the council updates its work on viability, to help the inspectors understand that all the policy requirements of the plan can be met and that they aren’t restricting development by asking for too much.

Going from 453 new homes per year to 703 sounds like a big increase in the housing number?

It does, but when you break it down it isn’t as big as it might appear.

What the inspectors are suggesting is that the council should focus on the first five years of a new plan, and to achieve what’s known as a five year land supply.

Because of the decisions made by the council’s Planning Committee and officers, the gap that would need to be made up in the first five years would be 394 new homes.

This doesn’t mean 394 more new homes every year on top of the 453 number. This is a ‘one off’ amount that would then be spread over the five years.

The council’s existing evidence and the Housing Register indicates there is significant unmet need and demand from people and families who are already living on the Island.

Have the inspectors suggested more changes?

Yes, several other changes have been suggested but these aren’t considered to be as important as the bigger changes.

Is this the inspectors’ final decision?

No. This is their post hearings letter setting out their initial reaction following the examination hearing sessions. The inspectors won’t make a final decision until the council has decided what it wants to do.

What happens next?

The council will be holding an extraordinary Full Council meeting to discuss the options and decide how it wants to move forward.

Whichever option the council chooses it will then write to the inspectors to let them know.

Is there a timeline for all of this?

Yes. The inspectors have asked that the council confirms which approach it would like to take to them by early June of this year. This is why an extraordinary Full Council meeting is necessary.

Should the council decide to progress with amending the plan, the extra work and consultation will need to happen within a fixed time period, which is likely to be around six months.

What does this mean for planning applications?

People can still submit planning applications and the council will still make decisions on those applications, but those decisions will be based on an old plan and current national planning policies.