A packed meeting of the Niton and Whitwell Parish Council came out against plans to build 54 houses on a greenfield.
The planning committee of the parish council unanimously voted to object to the application, submitted by Tallulah Estates, for the village’s Ladyacre Farm.
The landowner, who spoke at the meeting, said they were developing the land to use the money to make improvements to the farm which would benefit their children and grandchildren.
One disgruntled resident, who believed their health had improved immensely since moving to Niton, said the new housing would bring drug and alcohol abuse to the area.
Another said they had dodged a bullet with the flooding in the last few weeks and that the village would have to be very careful if they wanted to keep avoiding the issues seen not too far away in Ventnor.
With the Isle of Wight Council planning department currently under the presumption in favour of sustainable development, members of the public had expressed concerns about whether there would even be a point to objecting.
Cllr Ali Logan said the council had grounds to refuse the development but suggested the parish council looked into proposing a suitable alternative by way of a community land trust or community benefit society.
Cllr Logan said if the parish council were to borrow money to build houses, they could control who lived there and rent them out to local families, and also build what was suggested in their local housing plan.
Cllr Jon Boileau Goad said houses should be built but these plans should be rejected, allowing them to reflect on what they did want.
Cllr Tim Addison reflected the views of many residents at the meeting when he said Niton’s infrastructure is ‘at best clearly fragile and at capacity’.
He said the village had once been known as a sustainable rural hub but he could not see how, with the closure of Undercliff Drive, they could call it a hub anymore.
Mentioning the likelihood of flooding, and a lack of evidence in the plans to see how the drainage would be properly managed, Cllr Addison said the field had been used to grow watercress in the past, which was indicative of the site now.
A resident of Pan Lane, which the farm is on, said it was a faulty application as it was near a water course, with a spring in the field, continuing under properties and into the Eastern Yar.
The resident said the small pump that is proposed to combat the issue would not cope.
Other issues to be used in the council’s objection, include the lack of parking and narrow pedestrian access, lack of lighting and no wheelchair access.
The Island’s MP Bob Seely was at the meeting and explained to residents the flaws with the current planning procedures and ways he and the Isle of Wight Council were trying to fight the national policies.
Isle of Wight Council representative for Chale, Niton and Shorwell, Cllr Claire Critchison, was at the meeting but remained neutral with the hope to speak at the IWC’s planning committee meeting when the application is decided.
Comments on the planning application, 21/00793/OUT, can be submitted until Friday, August 6.
Investigation Underway After Cowes Van Hit And Run Leaves 13 Year-Old Injured
Island Wastewater Upgrades Set For Christmas Finish
Harbour Dredging Operations Could Continue By Island Village
New Home For Citizens Advice Isle Of Wight
Appeal Filed Over Contentious Island Seaside Town Redevelopment Bid
Controversial Freshwater And Newport Housing Proposals To Be Decided This Week
Line-Up Announced For 2025 Isle Of Wight Story Festival
Have Your Say On How Isle Of Wight Council Should Spend Its Money
Island Family Launches Appeal For Teenage Son With Brain Tumour
Ryde Farmhouse Set For Demolition Despite Local Protestor
CCTV Image Released After Handbag Is Stolen From Isle Of Wight Bus
Fishing Trio All At Sea As Cowes RNLI Called Out
Interview With Wightlink CEO Katy Taylor
Godshill Primary Campaigners And Council Express Relief After Closure U-Turn
Godshill Primary To Remain Open But Closure Notices Issued For Five Other Island Primary Schools
We 'Shal' Not Be Moved: Shalfleet Councillors Release Statement Over Recent Walkouts
Former Isle Of Wight Police Who Died On Duty Honoured By King
Councillor Slams School Place Planning Process 'Basic Flaws'
School Closures Decision Provisionally Agreed Following Late Night Council Meeting
