‘Developing barns will boost economy’

By Richard Wright

Sunday, February 17, 2013

 

CHANGES made to planning rules would mean new uses can be found more easily for redundant Isle of Wight farm buildings, boosting the local economy, a countryside lobby group said.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) said it had lobbied governments for a decade for disused barns and other agricultural outbuildings to be eligible for redevelopment under permitted development rights.

Government agreement with that would mean farmers no longer had to go through the difficult and costly full planning process.

Island CLA chairman John Harrison said: "This change will help to underpin our farming businesses and speed up the planning and development process.

"Making use of the many redundant agricultural buildings on the Island will boost the rural economy by assisting in the creation of new jobs and businesses on the Isle of Wight at a time when they are greatly needed."

Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk

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by geoffrey clynch

18th February 2013, at 18:42:22

www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/pughmustgo

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by geoffrey clynch

18th February 2013, at 10:14:42

"This will boost the rural economy" HOW? whenever they want to destroy green land they always use the ££$$ signs and say it will help the community, rubbish! it will help the moneymen and people in the council Planning department and help get the overflow from the big cities of immigrants eased, to make room for more

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by Steve Smith

18th February 2013, at 08:54:59

Valerie I am also afraid that you have people here who do not appreciate the beauty of the the sea surrounding our Island and are hell bent on covering it wth a road!

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by Mike Crowe

17th February 2013, at 22:47:16

Valerie I am afraid that you have people here who do not appreciate the beauty of the Isle of Wight and are hell bent on covering it wth roof and road

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by ian armstrong

17th February 2013, at 22:38:56

Let's make use of redundant buildings? How about the one that sits at the bottom of Newport high street and is full of hot air?! Or, even more novel- how about use the TIC's that are now standing empty (since the council decided in their infinite wisdom to close them) as 'Tourism Education, Procurement and Financial Stability Developement Centres'? Seems a suitably idiotic term to use that I'm sure somewhere in the corridors of power means something! To everyone else it means re-open the TIC's so at least the few souls who can afford to holiday here can actually find out what there is to do here!

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by Valerie Ching

17th February 2013, at 22:34:39

Like all these things it seems a good scheme at first glance but if everyone carried on developing agricultural land, there will be nothing left. The old saw about fitting all the world's population in the isle of wight will become a self fulfilling prophecy if we don't watch out. No point in DMOs trying to attract people from the towns to holiday amid a town. If everyone can develop agricultural land then it should no longer be designated agricultural land. This week a business in west wight was successful in buying land and developing it as a business with retrospective approval. One such instance won't be a problem but it opens the door for everyone to do it wherever and however they want.

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by Mr Justice

17th February 2013, at 21:45:37

Yes, good comment Lee - we could all 'boost the economy' if allowed to build housing estates on green fields. Turning barns into cottages is likely to be very profitable for Farmer Giles and Co too.

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by Steven Phillips

17th February 2013, at 20:19:27

Lee Majors, Great comment !!

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by Lee Majors

17th February 2013, at 18:48:27

Hmmm, making use of farm buildings, what ever next, Farmer Giles saying "hey I got a gurt load of fields I never use, hows abate we boost the local economy even more and knock up some muck and build a new village that I can travel dane with me orse and cart?"
Oh wait, that is what is happening at Arreton and Pennyfeathers, Pan Meadows, etc etc.

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by Mr Justice

17th February 2013, at 17:38:27

This change will certainly boost landowners and farmers incomes. Perhaps some of them could reduce the amount they claim in EU payments? Then again, are those pigs I see flying over the needles.

Any views or opinions presented in the comments above are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the Isle of Wight County Press.

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