I had a useful (virtual) meeting today, 4 June 2021, with new Isle of Wight Cabinet members Julie Jones-Evans and Paul Fuller about housing targets and planning strategy relating to Camp Hill, other MOJ prison estate land, and Noke Common.

Council documents, such as the Island Investment Plan adopted by the previous Conservative Cabinet, have identified this area for up to 1,500 houses. If this went ahead it would be environmentally harmful to the forest and adjacent green fields, plus place immense strain on local roads and other infrastructure.

In my discussion with Julie and Paul, we talked about how regeneration should focus on the prison site itself, and other land that has already been previously built on. This should be with a strong focus on how this can be done to protect and enhance the natural environment, and how it can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

I was encouraged by how both Cabinet members were keen that Island residents should be very involved in helping develop a new planning strategy, and that the environment should be a priority in how that is developed.