PROTESTORS who mounted a vigorous campaign against a Ryde development have reacted with dismay that it has been recommended for approval by planners.
Isle of Wight Council officers have recommended that 80 homes can be built on fields at Westridge Farm despite wide-ranging objections led by Ryde Town Council.
The majority of the houses will be two storey on a ten acre site to the south of the farm off Hope Road.
Half are three bedroom, 26 are two bed and the rest are either one or four bed and more than a third will be affordable.

Mark Gaskin, who has spearheaded protests, said: "I urge councillors to say enough’s enough to development in Ryde.
"There are enough grounds for councillors to go against the recommendation. I am disappointed that officers did not take them on board and have been selective in the national planning guidelines they chose to follow."
More than 200 letters of objection were lodged with planners centring on traffic and safety and the additional burden on services.
For more on this story, please see today's Isle of Wight County Press, Friday, January 20.


Westridge Farm