PLANS for affordable housing and a discount store in East Cowes will be on show at a public consultation this afternoon (Thursday).
Residents living in Crossways Road, where Isle of Wight Council-owned land has been earmarked for possible development, were only informed by leaflet of the consultation event being staged at East Cowes Town Hall, on Monday.
The outline proposals could include a mix of affordable and social housing, a new discount retail store, such as an Aldi or Lidl, and industrial units for small businesses.
The Isle of Wight Council has commissioned Public Sector Plc (PSP) - which looks at potential local authority-owned sites for development - to come up with potential uses for the site, south of Crossways Road, adjoining Queensgate Primary School.
The proposals have become the centre of controversy on social media this week, with many believing the infrastructure of East Cowes would not be able to cope with more housing - from the additional strain put on schools and doctor's surgeries to traffic flow and the sewage system.
Isle of Wight councillor for East Cowes, Karl Love, said: "There are lots of empty, new houses built in East Cowes, so we don't need yet more in a community already suffering from crumbling and overstretched services.
"I'm not against development, but it must be appropriate and it must blend into our community needs.
"No one is sure what sort of development is being considered, so people should attend the event to find out and have their say."
The event will run between noon and 6pm.