Surgeries:
4:30-5pm, Tuesday 5th November, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.
5:30-6pm, Tuesday 5th November, Sports
Bar, IW Community Club, Park Rd, Cowes.
6-6:30pm, Thursday 14th November, The
Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.
1-1:30pm Wednesday 20th November, Little
Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard.
3-3:30pm, Wednesday 20th November, Cowes
Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.
6-6:30pm, Thursday 28th November, The
Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
4:30-5pm, Tuesday 3rd December, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.
5:30-6pm, Tuesday 3rd December, Sports
Bar, IW Community Club, Park Rd, Cowes
Proposal to develop
99 dwellings on land between Place Road and Tuttons Hill, Gurnard/Cowes.
A
proposal was received to develop 99 dwellings on land to the rear or Place
Road.
The
deadline for comments for this application is Friday 15th November.
Both,
myself and Cllr. John Nicholson have worked closely together ensuring residents
living adjacent to this application are notified. Two public information events
have been organised by us both where residents have been given the opportunity
to see the plans, read reports and speak to us both.
At
the event held in the IW Community Club around 40 residents attended, whilst at
the Portland Inn 20 residents attended.
Most
residents were opposed to the proposals, expressing concerns over the potential
loss of the Green Gap between Cowes, Gurnard and Northwood; issues relating to
whether there was actually a housing need, within this green field site;
whether Place Road could cope with any extra traffic; issues relating to the
ecology of the area and concerns over the proximity of the Gas/ Water mains.
Two
residents, were in support of the need for housing- expressing a concern over
availability of housing for local people.
However, there was general agreement that the proposals were excessive
given the site and its location.
Since
the application has been lodged, I’ve continued to receive calls from
residents, enquiries of the location of a mobile dwelling arriving on site plus
a request from one of the developers has been made to meet. I have advised for this to happen alongside
the Gurnard Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee, who have been attempting to
facilitate such a meeting.
Many thanks to The Portland Inn and the Isle Of Wight Community Club who offered free use of their venues. Their support is greatly appreciated!
Ferry Operators
Scrutiny.
At
Full Council, an overwhelming majority of Councillors across the chamber agreed
that Ferry Operators are challenged by members of the overarching Overview
& Scrutiny Committee, alongside my Economy & Environment Scrutiny
Panel.
This
follows concerns expressed by residents over costs, timings and customer
feedback.
It
seems likely there will be three meetings.
The first scheduled for the end of the year with ferry users, the second
with operators Hovertravel, Red Funnel and Wightlink, whilst the third will to
draw conclusions and if appropriate make recommendations to the Isle of Wight
Council. It is hoped that the Scrutiny Committees can build upon efforts of our
MP and Business leaders in ensuring the companies address local need.
Proposed Traffic
Regulation Order, Baring Road.
Following
consultation with the school and with local residents, Island Roads have
drafted proposals for a new traffic order for Baring Road. This order proposes No waiting, At Any Time
parking restrictions in the following locations:
· On
the entire section of the Cycle Lane between Baring Road and Crossfield Avenue.
· On
the south eastern section of Baring Road opposite the entrances to Gurnard
Primary School and Curtlemead in addition to where the road widens between 99
and 95 Baring Road
· On
the southern section opposite Tinkers Barn, the junction to Battery Road/
Brambles Lane to Blessings Lodge.
· On
both sides of Woodvale Road between the junction with Baring Road, to
immediately after the bend in the road leading down to The Kennels and Stables.
It
should be noted parking on the North Western side of Baring Road is not
proposed for removal, at this point.
Before being formally advertised, I’ve asked for further consultation is
taken with residents, parents and the school.
Cowes Enterprise
College.
The
meeting arranged with Highways Officers to make assessments on Traffic Issues in Crossfield Avenue was
cancelled following the non-availability of officers. In the meantime, I have received
representations from School Governors requesting the availability of further
car parking for staff on site.
The
IW Council has responded by highlighting that car parking availability exceeds
the ‘minimum criteria’ for one staff
parking space per two employees…This is an issue, which needs to be
discussed in greater depth with officers, and I’m looking forward to meeting with
the other three IW Councillors for Cowes to discuss options.
Since
being appointed as Governor, I’ve
attended two meetings. One which is
looking into Community Cohesion issues (esp. Parental complaints), the other
focused on curriculum matters. I also
spent a morning speaking to staff and students, and seeing for myself the College
in use.
Economy and
Environment Scrutiny Panel.
The
next meeting of the Economy and Environment Scrutiny Panel will take place on
Wednesday 13th November.
Within the Parking Strategy
due to be considered, I’ve highlighted the need to gather views from Business
Groups, Town and Parish Councils and residents in helping formulate a strategy
where Town Centres are made sustainable.
The
other item, which I originally requested members are updated upon is progress
of the PFI and its progress. Members
will have an opportunity at Wednesday’s meeting to review this within the
Quarterly Programme.
Gurnard Luck Update.
Further
to works undertaken during the Summer and September’s meeting of Gurnard’s
Parish Council, I have been in discussion with Rachel Wylde from Chesterton
Humberts, the Land Agent charged with overseeing the management of Crown Estate
property who are based in Southampton. It remains my intention to meet with
these ‘custodians’ for the crown estate should this not be satisfactorily
resolved.
I
understand that Ms Wylde was due to discuss the sites history and relevant
action with both her predecessor and the Marine Management Organisation. She
has requested that she is given some time to evaluate the works and will report
back to me at the end of this month on what action is likely to be taken.
CS16 Footpath Update.
I’ve
received an email from one of the chalet/ landowners adjacent to footpath CS16
which both myself and Gurnard Parish Council following feedback agreed to
recommend to Rights Of Way not to divert.
These
residents have been advised by the IW Council’s Coastal Protection Officer that
coastal erosion on this section of cliff is predicted at a rate of 100-300mm
per year. In response, signage warning
people of cliff erosion will be erected, further to the explicit instructions
received from the legal department of the landowners insurers.
Marine Management
Organisation, South Marine Plan Workshop
I
attended the Marine Management Organisation’s workshop and requested
that Island seaside resorts such as Ryde, Sandown and Ventnor were acknowledged;
I also raised concerns over the Shingles Bank potentially being earmarked for
aggregate dredging sites.
Other
issues which were discussed included the requirement to assess the needs all of
the Island’s fishing communities, rather than the generic needs and resilience
to Climate Change.
Three
of the main priorities that came out of discussions were:
·
Ensuring
the Solent’s Economy is enabled to grow sustainably.
·
Improving
Public Access to the Isle of Wight’s Coastal fringes, and to ensure this is
enabled and protected.
·
Allowing
that future policy is flexible and able to adapt to environmental and economic
pressures.
Planning Committee.
With the
exception of 44 Worsley Road, Gurnard it has been a very quiet couple of
months. To make up for this the Planning
Committee had to determine a bumper 7 Planning Applications in October.
Redevelopment
of the Grand Hotel site at Yaverland was refused in accordance to the Officers
recommendation. I supported this, due to
the proposal being welcomed by the Local IW Councillor and Sandown Town Council’s
view that economic regeneration was much needed in their town.
Locally, I
supported refusal for a new housing development for 86 Victoria Road, Cowes and supported very much the
points made by Cowes Town Council and local residents. Regrettably, I was the only Planning Committee
member to vote against this!
Cowes Community Bus.
Last
month, charges were implemented on Service 32 which runs between Cowes, Gurnard
and Northwood. Regrettably, this was not advised to myself, the local bus forum
or local councils who knew little about this new legislation!
Charges
only apply to customers who do not carry a Concessionary Pass, Rover Tickets, and
those under 18. Subsequently, I’ve negotiated the fare to be reduced from £2
each way to £2 for a return trip!
We
remain hopeful, that the current service will soon be diverted via Aldi in
Three Gates Road. Providing the Traffic Commissioners do not object this is
likely to commence at the end of November.
In
the meantime in the past couple of weeks, I’m advised that given high tides
compounded with stormy conditions it has been necessary to divert the service
away from Egypt Esplanade, Princes Esplanade and Woodvale Road given the bus
not being able to access the seafront.
Giving Blood.
Following
representations received, I’m now able to confirm that Blood Donors will once
again be able to donate at Cowes Yacht Haven. The next session at the
Yacht Haven will take place on Tuesday 7th
January 2014. For further information, please call 0300 123 23 23.
In the Last Month:
·
Most
of this month has been taken up responding to the Planning Application
submitted for Place Road. Between letterdrops, and Organising/Attending
Information evenings, I’ve spent a great deal of time answering enquiries over
the phone and supporting residents who have never before commented to Planning
Proposals.
·
I’ve
also dealt with Planning enquiries relating to proposals in Church Road, Rew Street, Solent View Road,
responded to Wind Turbine Enquiries,
and attended an open day with residents to promote a pending future planning
application for Shore Road.
·
I’ve
received a Park Road resident’s
request for neighbours to remove conifers impeding amenities.
·
I’ve
liaised with Island Roads, attempting to retrieve planings for Harness Lane & Debourne Manor Drive.
·
Pot
Holes at the hammerhead of Debourne
Close have been filled.
·
I’m
undertaking investigations concerning seeking alternatives to very Special
Needs Placements off-Island and am requesting information regarding the Island’s
Childrens Home shortfall.
·
Supported
the views of Gurnard Parish Council regarding the common law designation of the
footpath to the rear of Gurnard Heights.
·
Gurnard’s Sea Wall adjacent to the Beach Huts was storm damaged.
Quotes are being sought for repairs.
