Surgeries:
10:30-11am, Thursday 2nd September, Gurnard
Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
5:30-6pm, Wednesday 8th September, The
Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
10-11:30am, Monday 13th September, Cowes
Library, Beckford Road, Cowes. (With Island Plan
Drop-In)
11-12pm, Thursday 16th September, Food Shack
& Bar, Gurnard Pines, Gurnard.
5:30-6pm, Wednesday 29th September, The
Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
11-12pm, Thursday 30th
September, Eegon’s, 85 High Street, Cowes.
Planning Updates.
·
Lower Church Road.
Ref: 21/01442/OUT
An application was received to develop land
off Lower Church Road. This scheme is similar to a proposal from 2019, and was
discussed by Gurnard Parish Council on 11th August. Because of concerns raised, I have contacted
the case officer to call-in this application, should she be mindful of
approving proposals.
The main reasons I have given for calling in
these proposals are:
1 The Principle of any Development on this
site;
2. Concerns over the proposal is outside the
Development Strategy;
3. Concerns that the proposal does not
constitute ‘sustainable’;
4. Alternative locations were outlined in the
Gurnard Neighbourhood Plan.
5. The impact the proposal will have upon the
landscape characteristic of Gurnard Farm, Rew Street and Cockleton Lane.
·
69 Solent View Road.
An Ecology
Report has been requested for this application, before any decision notice is
provided. This follows concerns raised
by neighbours. In the meantime, I have
been advised given the interest on this matter the Planning Chairman has
arranged to visit the site.
·
Planning Enforcement Matters.
Following
feedback, I continue to await a response concerning Planning Enforcement on
land adjacent to the Stables in Woodvale
Road. In the meantime a modified
plan for this dwelling on the privately owned section of Woodvale Road has been
received from the Planners (Ref: 21/0555/FUL).
In addition
to the above the Enforcement Team have been asked to investigate matters in The Avenue, Cockleton Lane and Hilton
Road.
In the
meantime, I continue to await updates on proposals for The Dottens.
Highways Issues.
·
Speeding Traffic.
Speedwatch
volunteers will be monitoring traffic in Worsley Road following residents’
complaints.
·
Place Road.
In addition
the police have been asked to monitor traffic speeds in Place Road. This
follows several recent traffic incidents, and advice from Island Roads who
advised that a single 30mph limit for the road is not warranted.
Both myself
and Cllr Nicholson have contacted Island Roads to advise of our concern
following last years request.
·
Highway Weeds and Grasscutting
Councillors
continue to receive complaints from residents regarding the spread of weeds on pavements, roadsides and grass
verges. This follows cuts in last years’
budgets as well as Island Roads seeking alternatives in using glyphosate. At the moment the man with the hoe is not
seen to be fit for purpose. With respect to grass cutting (again incorporated within this year’s budget),
amenity grass is now being cut at the statutory minimum levels specified by
Government.
Please note
hedgerows have been cut in Cockleton
Lane and Rew Street. Many thanks
to our local farmers assisting!
·
Highway Signage.
I continue
to await feedback regarding signage for Gurnard
Shops and the Pub, and also The IW
Community Club. The site meeting which has been promised has
yet to occur due to everybody seemingly being busy during August.
In the
meantime, I have again requested redundant Primary/ Middle School signs.
Environmental
Matters.
·
Following
storms and an email of support from the EA, a request was made to Island Roads
to remove the Jordan culvert grill beneath Shore Road. This will allow
for an increase of discharge from storm water thus reducing flood risk in the
area.
·
I have been asked to intervene in a neighbourhood dispute in Rew Street.
·
Last
month a meeting took place between the MP, the IW Council’s Cabinet and Southern Water following concerns
raised regarding pollution and the impact this is having upon bathing
water. Following the meeting, Southern
Water has offered assurances to colleagues of further investment to cope with
ongoing issues.
·
Garden bonfires, security lighting, weekend DIY tomfoolery and Hot Tub parties(!!!) have all been reported to Environmental
Health in Cowes and Gurnard last month.
Please if you are intending anything with the potential to upset your
neighbours, talk to those nearby first.
·
Prior
to the flooding last month, I contacted the highway drainage department of
Island Roads to request gullies in Egypt Hill, Marsh Road, Solent View Road and
Princes Esplanade was clear of debris.
In the meantime Southern Water have appealed to residents to keep drainage systems fat and wet wipe clear.
·
Cowes
West and Gurnard topped the National League Tables of Covid 19 reinfection rates for a week during August. Following a number of interviews, and reassurance
that the IW Council had been offering support and advice to local businesses
there has been a slight decrease.
However, levels are being scrutinised with further action taken as
necessary.
Energy
Bills.
OFGEN has reported that for 15 million Energy
Customers, Bills will increase as from 1st October. This follows an increase to the Fuel Cap
which OFGEN negotiates with energy supplies
At the moment to counter these increases a
number of independent search engines can help customers get the best deal.
These include: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/ and http://www.uswitch.com/ Tel: 0800
688 8557
Other
Planning Issues this month:
·
I have spoken to, and look forward to meeting members of
Chale Parish Council to discuss issues concerning creating a community hub to
reachout to residents following the closure of the village shop in Chale Green.
·
A press release was issued in response to concerns raised by
residents regarding staffing and responding to a backlog of enforcement cases, new planning applications,
pre-application advice and staff sickness.
In response, the IW Council has recruited two members of staff.
·
I continue to work with Planning officers to resolve issues
relating to the Accessible Living complex scheduled for Somerton Reservoir.
·
Enforcement Action has been taken up following approaches
made to me at Wootton Creek, Fishbourne,
Atherfield and Ryde.
·
I am liaising with the local member concerning issues raised
following an application’s approval in Godshill.
·
A meeting has been arranged to discuss a potential housing
scheme in Nettlestone.
·
With other Cabinet members, I have discussed the merits of
potentially resurrecting the Isle of
Wight Building Preservation Trust to support buildings of heritage
interest.
·
I have been approached by a representative of an Island
Co-Housing initiative.
·
I hope to speak soon to the Chair of the Island’s Planning
Agents Forum.
Draft Island Planning Strategy.
In the last few months my priority
focus as Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing has been to accelerate the
Island Planning Strategy for Consultation from 31st July until 1st
October. With no plan, Government would
control the Planning process on the Island.
Apart from being the Planning bible for the Island for the next 15
years, within the Strategy there are targets requiring biodiversity net gain
from development, designating green spaces, support for dark skies, the
Island’s biosphere status and ensuring land is allocated for
employment. In addition there has been a reduction in housing
numbers from 1045 to 486 dwellings per annum, less ambiguity regarding
settlement boundaries and a desire to provide homes that are affordable to
local people.
The Strategy has now been supported through Cabinet, and I am looking forward to taking this on the road this month. This will afford the opportunity to listen to residents, local councillors, businesses and stakeholders.
Island
Planning Strategy Roadshow dates: September
|
01/09/2021 |
7 - 9pm |
Bembridge Parish Council |
|
02/09/2021 |
4 - 8pm |
Brading Town Council |
|
02/09/2021 |
7 - 9pm |
Cowes Town Council |
|
03/09/2021 |
||
|
04/09/2021 |
10am - 3pm |
IWC Pop up shop, Newport |
|
06/09/2021 |
Ryde TC |
|
|
07/09/2021 |
10-11am 11:30-12:30pm |
Brighstone Library (TBC) Freshwater Library (TBC) |
|
07/09/2021 |
6.45pm 7pm 7pm |
Freshwater Parish Council Chillerton & Gatcombe Parish
Council Wootton Bridge Parish Council |
|
08/09/2021 |
1:30-3pm |
Ventnor Library (TBC) |
|
08/09/2021 |
6:30pm 7.15pm |
Chale Parish Council Shalfleet Parish Council |
|
09/09/2021 |
10-11:30am 1:30-2:30pm |
East Cowes Library (TBC) Niton Library (TBC) |
|
09/09/2021 |
6pm |
Nettlestone and Seaview Parish
Council. |
|
10/09/2021 |
||
|
11/09/2021 |
10am - 3pm |
IWC Pop up shop, Newport |
|
13/09/2021 |
10-11:30am 2-3:30pm 4-8pm |
Cowes Library (TBC) Bembridge Library (TBC) St Helens Pop In and PC |
|
14/09/2021 |
10:30-12pm 2-4pm |
Freshwater Library (TBC) Ryde Library (TBC) |
|
15/09/2021 |
7pm |
Newchurch and Arreton |
|
16/09/2021 |
6pm |
East Cowes Town Council |
|
17/09/2021 |
||
|
20/09/2021 |
10-11:30am 5:30-6:30pm |
Shanklin Library (TBC) Sandown Town council |
|
21/09/2021 |
10-11:30pm 1:30-3pm 3:30-5pm 6:30pm |
Brading Centre Pop In Sandown Library (TBC) Ryde Library (TBC) Northwood Parish Council |
|
22/09/2021 |
All day |
Island Business Expo |
|
23/09/2021 |
||
|
24/09/2021 |
||
|
27/09/2021 |
10-12pm 7.15pm |
Ryde Library Niton & Whitwell Parish Council |
|
28/09/2021 |
7:30pm |
Brighstone Parish Council |
|
29/09/2021 |
||
|
30/09/2021 |
Shanklin Town Council |
Also this month:
·
Grass
verges have been cut in Baring Road.
·
Action
was taken following complaints received concerning an obscured parking place in
Gurnard.
·
Action
is due to be taken following damage to the water main from IW Council Trees in
Solent View Road.
·
Tree
works intended for a property in Woodvale Road has been rejected ‘on balance’
by the tree officer.
·
Clarification
has been sought concerning the use of Assistance Dogs for the disabled.
·
More
unruly e-scooter riders using scooters in Shooters Hill and Cowes High Street
have been reported.
·
I
have requested that the All Island Parking Review takes place sooner rather
than later.
·
More
graffiti was reported to Telecom cabinets in Cowes. Wightfibre again responded promptly and
cleared graffiti from both theirs and BT cabinets.
·
A
metal ironwork was fixed in Nodes Road.
·
Please
note there are less intrusive Track and Trace kits, these are available from
pharmacies and NHS 101.
