Isle of Wight Councillor's Report: September 2021

 

Surgeries:

 

10:30-11am, Thursday 2^nd September, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

5:30-6pm, Wednesday 8^th September, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

10-11:30am, Monday 13^th September, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes. (With Island Plan Drop-In)

11-12pm, Thursday 16^th September, Food Shack & Bar, Gurnard Pines, Gurnard.

5:30-6pm, Wednesday 29^th September, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

11-12pm, Thursday 30^th 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 11^th 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 1^st 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.