MP Bob Seely said: “Respectfully, I disagree with the decision. We have all promised to oppose inappropriate large-scale, low-density, greenfield development - just like Westridge.
"I thank those councillors on all sides who tried to find grounds to object. There were reasons for refusal, although I accept that this could have been challenged on appeal.
“The claim that Westridge represents sustainable development is utterly laughable. It is just yet another car-dependent, low-density, greenfield development that will stress our infrastructure, our services and quality of life in the east of the Island. It is the definition of unsustainable.
“It is clear that we need to prepare the Island Plan as urgently as possible because we need to have more power to block developers and their agents doing lasting damage to the Island, against the wishes of communities.
“I want to reassure people that I will continue to do what I can to ensure that the housing that is built is for Islanders, on brownfield sites, in existing communities, in appropriate amounts. Sadly, I do not have the power to oppose these dreadful developments but rely on Councillors’ good sense. I will also fight as hard as I can to ensure that new national planning laws primarily serve communities’ needs, not developers'.
“We need housing, but in modest numbers, for Islanders, in towns and on brownfield sites. What we do not need is unsustainable, car-dependent, low density, urban sprawl around our towns, of which Westridge is a prime example, which does permanent and lasting harm to our environment.
“I will be talking to Councillors and Officers about potential next steps. We cannot normalise low density greenfield development.”
