PLANS for more than 900 homes on the outskirts of Ryde have been rejected by town councillors.
There was standing room only at the Garfield Road Methodist Church last night (Monday) when more than 200 people heard Ryde Town Council’s planning committee issue a unanimous 'no’ to the controversial Pennyfeathers village.
The committee’s recommendation for refusal will be lodged with the Isle of Wight Council, which will make the final decision.
The application proposes more than 900 homes on 130 acres of land between Westridge Garage, Busy Bee Garden Centre and Smallbrook, in a new community complete with its own school, shops and industry.
Planning consultant Glen Hepburn detailed the plans which he said had already generated 11 expressions of interest from local businesses, before Roger Whitby-Smith, vice-chair of the campaign group Ryde Against Pennyfeathers (RAP), outlined their objections.
Criticism was levelled against Isle of Wight Council and Southern Water for not sending a representative to the meeting.
For more on this story, please see the Isle of Wight County Press on Friday, February 22.
Reporter: martinn@iwcpmail.co.uk