MP Bob Seely’s survey and petition, opposing the building of 9,000 new homes on the Island, has attracted over 1,600 responses in just over two days.
Bob has launched a survey to gauge local reaction to the Island Plan which will determine the council’s planning policy for years to come. One contentious part of the plan is to fulfil a Government-imposed plan to build 9,000 new homes on the Island in the next 15 years. Bob has launched a petition to oppose this element of the plan, and a consultation to gather other views on the wider document.
Bob opposed the housing element of the plan because the Island does not have the infrastructure to support significant extra housing. He wants significantly less housing and greater emphasis placed on building homes to meet the needs of Islanders.
Bob said: “I am encouraged by the support the petition has gained already. The petition is a reaction to what Islanders have been telling me – yes we need new homes but these need to be for Island people and built in harmony with the Island’s environment.”
Bob said: “The Island needs one and two-bedroom houses to be built to meet the demand of Islanders. Furthermore, we need this housing to be built on brownfield land wherever possible to retain the natural beauty for the benefit of Islanders and visitors.”
“The current proposals are unachievable, unsuitable and unnecessary.”
Bob has been invited to attend several public meetings to discuss the contents of the Island Plan in relation to specific areas of the Island.
“I am very interested to hear what my constituents think about the Island Plan and I encourage everyone to sign the petition and complete the survey which can be found here http://islandvision.uk/islandplan . It is vital that people have a say now while there is a chance to influence the contents of the plan.
