MP Bob Seely is calling on the Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils (IWALC) to support him in his campaign against the government-set housing targets proposed in Island Planning Strategy, known locally as the Island Plan.
Bob launched a survey and petition in March to gauge local reaction to the Island Plan which proposes the construction of 641 new houses a year – around 9,600 by 2034, many of which are proposed to be built on greenfield sites and in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Bob’s petition and survey has already received close to 4,000 responses and Bob hopes to continue to raise awareness among Islanders of the volume of new houses proposed to be built in local communities.
Bob said: “I have asked IWALC to help me to find campaign organisers in towns and villages on the Island to raise awareness of the content of the Island Plan and the impact the proposed new houses will have on their communities.
“I want to talk to as many people across the Island as I can to explain the Island Plan and gather views about how collectively it can be improved.”
“I am extremely pleased that volunteers have already come forward in Wellow, Bembridge, Brading to offer their services but I am looking for organisers in all towns and villages across the Island.
“We need to work together to protect our Island from damaging over-development and, instead, provide better housing for Islanders.”
Bob has been in talks with IW Council with a view to applying to the Government for exceptional circumstance to reduce the Island’s overall housing target figures and ensure that the houses that are built, are built for Islanders. He has also raised concerns about the targets with Government Ministers.