Fierce opposition to West Wight plans

By Martin Neville

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

THERE are calls for greater public consultation on the future of a former West Wight school site earmarked for new homes.

Freshwater Village Association is to hold a public meeting to debate not only Isle of Wight Council plans to demolish the former West Wight Middle School and build 50 houses on the 3.7 acre plot, but the future of the centre of the village including the two schools, sports centre, Ainsworth Court and playing fields.

The association is angry the proposed scheme would result in the loss of Camp Lodge playing field, while a claim of incorrect procedure has been levelled in relation to access across common land in front of the school.

In a statement released on Thursday, John Medland, association secretary, said: "Last June a consultation meeting was promised for the people of Freshwater. However, this consultation meeting never took place.

"The correct procedure to dispose of an asset created by the parish of Freshwater is to have a consultation with the present rate payers on any possible educational uses for large public property."

He said: "The land between the school and Queens Road is common land. The only consent that has been given by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for vehicles to pass over this land is for a bus turning circle, granted in 1977.

"Any new application for vehicle access should be made to the department and advertised."

Association members attended a planning meeting of Freshwater Parish Council last Tuesday, where councillors voiced similar concerns.

While not objecting to the outline planning application, the council agreed to write to the Isle of Wight Council raising a number of issues.

It was also announced at the meeting that the former West Wight Middle School playing field, which the parish council hope to take over, will be called Jubilee Field.

As previously reported, Spectrum Housing Group (SHG) is being treated by the Isle of Wight Council as a 'special purchaser’ for the former school site. Of the 50 houses proposed, 35 would be affordable homes.

A public meeting has been organised by the village association, to take place at Freshwater Parish Hall on Friday, starting at 7pm.

Reporter: martinn@iwcpmail.co.uk

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Displaying the last 10 of 17 comments - Show All Comments

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by geoffrey clynch

20th January 2013, at 12:55:25

Mr.Justice, "NIMBY" is just a leftwing catchphrase to try and stop the majority having their democratic rights and force the wishes of the minorities on the rest of us, undemocratically

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by Mr Justice

19th January 2013, at 15:44:58

Ms Clarke - do you not think it a little rich that a man who tried to build dozens of new homes on the same site now leads the opposition to a similar plan? That's not making it personal - it's more an observation. Search the CP database to learn more.

The fact is that the Island needs more affordable homes. Many of those opposing these schemes are just NIMBY's. We must build new homes for young people and families.

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by geoffrey clynch

17th January 2013, at 15:19:35

Mr.Naylor, If the Island has 3000 homeless indigenous British people waiting for housing now, and this was the number quoted to me by the council in 2008, and since then at least 2,500 have been built if not more, why do we still after 5 years still got the magic number of 3,000 indigenous residents still on the housing list, and if we need only 3,000 for the indigenous residents then why are the council being forced to build nearly 11,000 and 27 Gypsy pitches, remember everyone, in december there is nearly 29,000,000 Romanian and Bulgarians who will need housing

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by pat buckell

16th January 2013, at 23:12:13

yes mr naylor there are many island residents in need of housing but will they be given the chance of 1 of the new ones? or will the council allow mainland over spill to have them? new housing on the island should be for I O W residents

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by david wright

16th January 2013, at 16:49:18

I would like to see the council develop the West wight school site as Council houses remember those? I know there are those who turn their nose up at council housing but my grown up children all live in Freshwater and struggle to pay exorbitant private landlord rents that bare no relation to local wages or ability to pay.Affordable housing? A stupid term to desribe houses that people with some money can buy. What about those who DO WORK but live hand to mouth as £550 monthy rent leaves nothing or little to save? The advantage of council houses was great and provided a good platform for a family to grow instead of the struggle my children now face. Yet another thing to hate Mrs Thatcher for!!!

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by alan naylor

16th January 2013, at 13:54:56

Dear Mr Buckell Ido beleive you have 3000 people on the island who are homeless and in bed and breakfast and they are not all imigrants

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by pat buckell

15th January 2013, at 20:38:55

affordable homes for who? do we have room in the schools and medical centre for overflow from the mainland? will queens road benefit from extra traffic? where will the water go to when the fields are concrete? queens road floods as it is. public might have a meeting but council will do what they like anyway..

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by Theresa Levell Clarke

15th January 2013, at 17:01:58

What a shame the contributions seem to deal with personalities rather than the issues! Points such as Mrs. James are just getting lost in what are obviously longstanding Island squabbles. Shan't bother commenting further on this site.

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by DAVE SCOTT

15th January 2013, at 14:47:38

I just think 'people' should know what platform you stand on....most (I hope) will be appalled....

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by geoffrey clynch

15th January 2013, at 14:40:34

What! More publicity for the BNP, thank you for stating "FACTS", you are correct, but then TRUTH sometimes hurts does it not

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.