The planning application for 203 homes at Acorn Farm on Horsebridge Hill was passed by planning committee members last Tuesday (23 January 2024). No councillor voted against the scheme.

I’m not a member of the committee so didn’t get a vote.

In my remarks to the committee as ward councillor I highlighted:

• concerns about the impact for local residents using the junctions into side roads; one in particular raised with me by a resident was turning right out of Nicholson Street
• concerns about traffic growth and congestion along the whole route from Newport to Cowes; we’ve seen this week what happens when utility works mean there have to be temporary lights
• concerns about drainage both the localised flooding into gardens along Prior Crescent and into the River Medina. I welcomed the proposal for a new ditch to drain off the land should help with the Prior Crescent issue, and the pond and other measures which will help with slowing down rainwater run-off
• the welcome inclusion of a play area in an area of Parkhurst & Hunnyhill ward that lacks play facilities
• the welcome inclusion of solar panels and heat pumps to help reduce the growth in greenhouse gas emissions
• the welcome commitment that not only would there be affordable homes for key workers (we have both the prison and hospital nearby which would help staff find local housing) and the intention that SNG (previously known as Sovereign Housing Association) would take on the remaining homes for affordable rent and buy; it’s going to be vital that this ensures Island families in need are given priority

I said to the committee that, although it is regrettable that a greenfield site is lost, having a site used for housing that is much more likely to help Islanders who need affordable homes to rent or buy makes this scheme acceptable.

It isn’t a perfect scheme though.

In particular, having urged the committee to consider the highways impacts it was disappointing that they didn’t discuss these at any length. I will take up the need for Isle of Wight Council to look hard at what is needed along the whole route from Newport to Cowes, and bid for government money if any schemes can be worked out that would reduce the impact of the extra traffic that will arise from proposed developments along this route.