Chairman Thank you Mr Burdett. Second speaker is Mr Phillip Robin. Mr Robin you have also around one minute and a bit. We’ll give you a shout when the time is up.

Mr Robin Thank you. Throughout, SEEDA and English Partnerships have confirmed that they have no in principal objection to Barratts and welcome investment to bring forward further employment opportunities and housing including affordable housing in East Cowes. The SEEDA and the English Partnerships have always wanted to avoid the situation where developers coming forward at Kingston results in the implementation of the regeneration proposal for East Cowes Town Centre being slowed down, delayed or perhaps prevented entirely. But I am pleased to say that today we’ve managed to reach agreement with Barratts who have now agreed in principle to some form of phasing condition at the Kingston site so that in accordance with government guidance and UDP policy some priority for regeneration proposals within the town centre can take into account the market conditions. On this basis I am pleased to say that …… wrote a letter to the Council to confirm that SEEDA and English Partnerships and they will give their support to the Barratt proposals.

Chairman And the third is Mrs Burdett. Mrs Burdett you also have just under two minutes.

Mrs Burdett The Isle of Wight Society are concerned that this greenfield site is proposed for housing and industry when new brownfield sites in the town are now available. When the UDP was passed GKN had not sold the north site so that land was not available to be included in the UDP proposals. UDP policy S2 states development will be encouraged on brownfield sites rather than greenfield sites. Regional planning guidance E1 states precedence should be given to re-using previously developed land within urban areas in preference to greenfield sites. PPG3 states priority should be given to re-using previously developed land in preference to greenfield sites. The redevelopment of East Cowes should go ahead first before the Kingston development.

Barratt’s own landscape and visual assessment document points out at para 3.5 that the view from the site looking westwards is one of countryside and trees marred only by a recent housing development. How much more will this enormous Kingston development mar the view from the river and from the western slopes looking east.

Chairman Thank you very much Mrs Burdett. We have East Cowes Town Council, Mrs Prior. Mrs Prior you have five minutes.

Mrs Prior I make observations on behalf of the residents of the Osborne Ward whom I represent. The Town Council was against the original proposal because of fears about the effects the increase in traffic generated by the development would have on the road system in and around East Cowes. Now that the SEEDA proposal has been accepted any problems will be compounded. Staying with traffic concerns the new access road will cut across the walking route used by children from East Cowes who attend Whippingham Primary School and I trust that stringent safety measures will be in place immediately the construction of the road begins.

Another aspect of local concern is the density of housing being proposed which is related to the ability of the infrastructure to cope. 55 dwellings per hectare is the very maximum allowed in suburban areas and many people might be surprised to know that East Cowes is big enough to have suburbs. However, even if a percentage of low cost and social housing needs to be welcomed provided that priority is given to Island residents.

The impact the development will have on local schools who haven’t had some spare capacity is of concern. It has been estimated that there will be an extra 200 for primary, 200 for middle and 102 for secondary school pupils.

There are also questions about health care for an estimated increase in the population of by one thousand. Many new residents may well regard the range of shops in East Cowes as inadequate for their needs and get into the habit of driving to Newport in order the shop.

The improved employment prospects connected to the development must be welcomed in this ward in particular which has higher levels of unemployment than the town in general where it is around the national average. However these prospects will be will depend on take up from employers and there are a couple of - several redundant sites nearby which are being advertised.

Emphasis on marine related business is rather problematic since direct access to the river is not for important environmental reasons. And the SEEDA proposals concludes provision for the unit with much easier access to the water in the Venture Quays area.

On the environmental front the application includes many uses designed to mitigate the effects of the development on the environment as part of a Section 106 Agreement. I believe there may be some additional issues but presumably these can be dealt with at a later stage.

The impact on the wider landscape a material consideration seen only to ….. from the point of view of the nearby AONB. No consideration has been given to the effect this development will have on the Victorian heritage of the area. The Kingston Farm area links the Osborne Estate with Whippingham conservation area. This is for the …… …. of East Cowes to experience this landscape which includes the magnificent panoramic view presently enjoyed from Beatrice Avenue, across the Medina Valley to Newport and beyond to the downs above Chillerton. The views that will be offered on the central spine of the development will be absolutely no compensation for that which would be lost forever for future generations.

The town needs tourists to come to East Cowes for its own sake not just as a port eventually to reach the Island’s other attractions.

Finally regarding the strategy described in the Unitary Development Plan covering greenfield sites, they could only be developed where no brownfield site exists. The SEEDA site has of course only emerged since the UDP was drawn up but the strategy seems to have been carved in stone. One reason given is both developments are needed to help with the Island’s housing needs over the next few years. This is of little comfort to East Cowes which will have to bear the brunt of such a high proportion of extra housing. Thank you for your attention.

Chairman Mrs Prior, I didn’t catch when you started your presentation. The comments you are making are not on behalf of East Cowes Town Council, is that correct?

Mrs Prior Osborne Ward. Osborne Ward.

Chairman Ok because that does affect the actual rights of the public speaking and we need to - I was under the impression you were speaking on behalf of the Town Council and that’s why you were allocated that spot. But nevertheless let’s move on. As far as the next speaker is concerned the agent, Mr Paul Airey, you have five minutes.

Mr Airey Thank you Chairman. We were obviously naturally disappointed in the previous decision to refuse the application. We had spent the last six months working closely with officers, local members and the public to find a way to resolve the concerns that were raised at that time. We are now proposing to give over 30% of the housing made available to Medina Housing Association for affordable housing, both rentable and shared equity and the first phase as you will hear - you heard includes up to 36% affordable housing. There has also been a significant amount of housing corporation funding allocated to pay for bringing this forward. The entire development has been aimed towards the Island housing market and 50% of these properties will be suitable for first time buyers. The other main reason for refusal was the scheme was not properly linked to the rest of the town. To address this it was required to build a new access road in a single phase. This road will not be able to provide immediate access to the employment land but will remove existing heavy traffic from residential streets in East Cowes. This is the key issue raised by residents during our numerous consultations, the most recent of which was last week and it will provide an alternative route into the town for emergency vehicles.

In addition a significant financial contribution will be made enable a bus service to be provided at an early stage linking the development with the town centre.

The proposal will …………………. your own guidelines.

In our view the application has now addressed fully the previous reasons for refusal.

What about the current objections. In fact there were relatively few objections concerned about general risks of developing this site and the impact it will have.

Objections have been reduced from the previous scheme and there was perhaps surprisingly few considering the overall scale of development. It does perhaps reflect the fact that the site was originally proposed for development over ten years ago and was confirmed as an allocation only after lengthy considerations at the UDP inquiry. This is not to belittle the concerns of objectors it is simply set in the context of the wider issue of the need for the Island to provide sufficient housing and jobs for its future needs. All of the concerns of statutory undertakers and consultees have been resolved and the only real issue is in relation to the brownfield/greenfield issue, the overall market for …… East Cowes. SEEDA are now not objecting and suggesting the scheme should be refused, the one comfort is the proposal would not be undermined by …… supply housing due to both schemes being approved.

If it were a case of having to select only one of the two schemes then there is no doubt that under government guidance priority should be given to the town centre scheme, however this is not the case. There is no doubt that both schemes are needed. Members will be acutely aware of the current position regarding housing need on the Island. While the Island has required the objective number of new housing over the last ten years to meet the numerical demand the provision of affordable housing is way behind the requirements.

The inspector of the UDP inquiry stated restricting greenfield development until the brownfield opportunities are exhausted could lead to shortages of housing land. The Council’s own report has suggested that the consequences delaying the planning release of allocated sites may result in housing supply being severely diminished. This could lead to higher house prices, consequent reductions in affordable housing with greater …… sectors and related economic and social consequences to the Island well beyond housing supply issues.

To put the proposed scale of development into context if both applications are approved and developed at the maximum rate allowed they will still provide less than a third of the amount of new housing requirements over the next seven years. Beyond that more housing land will be needed.

Many more housing - greenfield sites will need to be identified through the core strategy, through the Island Plan to meet housing needs up to 2026. We …… that the market can sustain the units being proposed for East Cowes. East Cowes is a place that people do want to live and work in, that’s partly why Barratts are keen to build here. This view is based not just on extensive experience in the development and selling houses at Marina and Old Road and a rigorous analysis of data collected by the Council after extensive discussions with local agents and other experts. Barratt insisted …… made it clear to SEEDA that they would be very pleased to develop the former GKN site and will commit to undertake both schemes in parallel. Surely it endorses the confidence in the idle housing market. Not only this but we have suggested to the Council that we are prepared to accept a break clause in the proposed phasing agreement to ensure that the concerns of SEEDA and the issue of prioritising brownfield land can be met. What is sometimes open is the fact that Kingston promoted originally

Mrs Martin Time.

Mr Airey An enabling development - employment and residential development is proposed. This is an opportunity to.

Mrs Martin Time.

Mr Airey To meet the housing needs of the Island and I hope you will accept the challenge. Thank you.

Chairman. Local elected member, Councillor Hancock, you have ten minutes if you require them.

Cllr Hancock Thank you Chairman. Again just to clarify I am the local Isle of Wight Council Member for Osborne Ward, whereas my dear friend Margaret Prior is the Town Councillor for Osborne Ward. There is a hell of a confusion there, just to clarify that.

Ok. Whilst the local member for Osborne Ward which includes Kingston I welcome the opportunity to give my opinion on this proposed development but it is not my opinion you need to hear, but those of my constituents. Those who live within a stone’s throw of the proposed development site.

When this plan first came into being I thought oh my God the postman’s going to be bringing me sacks of mail, the ‘phone’s not going to stop ringing. I am going to be inundated with people objecting. That has not been the case.

I have approximately 1,700 people living in my ward and I have made myself available to all of them to hear their thoughts and views regarding this development. I have faithfully attended public meetings, consultation events - down at Osborne School and just the other night down at Bridge House. The concerns that have been made with me are these, the lack of infrastructure, the use of the local greenfield site, the loss of amenities, the impact on wildlife, the loss of a lovely view of the River Medina and increased traffic flows. All of these are real and genuine concerns to people regarding this proposed development and I briefly want to address them.

The lack of infrastructure of course this can mean many things but on this - on this - at this time has been generally used in relation to the need to expand the doctors surgery, and improve and increase education facilities, but I understand this application has a considerable amount of 106 gains and they are to be channelled into meeting the growing demand and stress growing over a period of time. We are not talking of overnight development here. There is not suddenly going to be 500 more houses and thousands of people, we are talking over five to ten years is my understanding. The use of greenfield site. Yes it is but it has been delegated for residential use in the UDP plan for at least the last ten years and that plan is still in force today members and will remain in force until 2011. The report also confirms that there is insufficient brownfield sites to fill the housing needs of the Island, so some greenfield development is inevitable.

The loss of amenities. These objections have related largely to the loss of dog walking areas. It’s fair - its fair to be borne in mind that this is a private farmland field. Whilst it may have been used for this purpose it’s not - it’s not done by any right of way but by the grace of the landowner.

The impact on wildlife. These objections have been related to the disturbance of birds. Swifts. That this is a site during the summer. Now I am encouraged to see a large area of copse green forest land that’s being included in this site, green areas are included in the plan, that may still provide home for the birds, but should homes for migrating birds take precedence over much needed homes for people? 30% of affordable housing is I understand the highest level of affordable housing ever to be negotiated by the Isle of Wight Council and we need every one of them. We have a man there who can tell us how many people are on the waiting list, wanting for a house - waiting for a house to live in.

The loss of a lovely view of the River Medina. The committee will be aware that the loss of a view is not an entitlement to be considered by the DCC.

Increased traffic flows. This is a genuine concern and one that our highways engineers should give due attention to under reserved matters. However, the early installation of the proposed new access road will carry the bulk of this flow of traffic and if the ……… is that all those fuel tankers, all those heavy lorries that carry haulage - gravel from the site at Kingston will not if this road goes in be dragging themselves along Kingston Road, up ****** Road, Adelaide Grove and then dragging themselves up York Avenue, much to everybody’s annoyance. They will be going out along this new road.

All of the aforementioned objections have been raised and they are genuine concerns and I appreciate that but as I have said I have 1,700 people in my ward, only eight people have contacted me directly and you have only had nine letters of objections. These objections - this has been for - this number of objections has been far outweighed by local residents asking me how they can secure a house to live in, how they can move off of the waiting list for affordable rented accommodation, how they can move out having lived with their parents and their grandparents and get a home of their own and make a real start. How can people get a foothold on the property ladder of East Cowes unless there are smaller units available to them? How can - how can we access - how can we attract new business to East Cowes, new industries to East Cowes if we do not know that the access road to areas designated for industrial use. And that is a large area of industrial use. The early installation of this new access road is to me a crucial part of this whole scheme. This road will open the way for the use of - of what is designated as employment land. 9.9 hectares to the south of the power station. A large area that at the moment - we went down there - we had a site visit there members - has become a dumping ground and it has been a dumping ground for years. It’s a rat-infested tip, a place where children play amongst the rubbish, cars are set alight. We deserve better than this. I may not be popular with what I am saying but I am a realist. If East Cowes is to prosper then it needs to grow and expand and that expansion needs to be managed and any weaknesses in the infrastructure attended to in due time as demand increases. Again we are not talking about overnight influx of people but a steady increase, an agreed growing increase of numbers with the SEEDA development. I have stressed the views of my constituents and my own views over this matter and I would close by supporting the proposal of conditional permission to be granted. Thank you Chairman.

Chairman. One more public speaker, the adjoining member Cllr Webster. Cllr Webster you have five minutes.

Cllr Webster Thank you Mr Chairman. As an adjoining member I apologise now for repeating myself and hope I do not bore you too much.

Five hundred houses over five to ten years as well as five to - sorry as well as 560 in the SEEDA regeneration, this will have a major impact on East Cowes. As yet no-one has given extensive consideration to the infrastructure that will be required to furnish both these developments in both SEEDA and Kingston. The road system as it is at present will not be adequate. Whatever the enabling road will do it will still service the Kingston development ultimately the traffic will still exit only onto the one road out of East Cowes by a roundabout by Barton Manor and GKN right next to it. Once we reach the Alverstone Road/Whippingham Road junction if there is a major incident as I mentioned before at this point of …… crossroad there is no means of entering or exiting East Cowes. This is a major concern for the majority of residents and is a factor that has to be considered. We are responsible for people’s lives and have a duty of care to them. The cumulative effect of the traffic that will be generated by both the developments will add to this problem. I cannot agree with the report made by Mott MacDonald’s assessment, especially when they say that the present highways network will accommodate both the SEEDA development and the Kingston development, and have serious concerns as to the means to find it. The assessment have to be - have to have a reality to them and should be carried out at the height of the season as already mentioned to show the true results, especially if we are looking towards 2050. This road alone may not be sufficient and we may have to look at something else. The justification for such alternative transport measures involves a major expenditure it’s not just related to East Cowes. The Island as a whole will be affected and it relies on ferry traffic as one of the three main Solent services carrying goods and visitors. If the road structure is not sufficient to cope then it will not only affect East Cowes but the tourist trade of the whole Island. East Cowes is a gateway. No consideration to be given to the impact long term implication that this development along with SEEDA are going to have on the town as a whole ……

As far as tourism is concerned …… will have a huge impact.

It is urged that consideration of a wider range of solutions to these traffic concerns should be taken towards implementation before development starts in both these development applications.

Infrastructure. The need to be addressed before the application is approved. Whilst I accept that the Barratt …… is trying to …… from their last application I cannot accept that this development is necessary in a greenfield area when we have brownfields ready to be developed and where there are serious traffic implications.

The water supply. It is understood from water - the water company there have been difficulties in supplying high density large numbers of proposed housing. Sustainability needs to be proven. There are also serious concerns by locals of the impact the development will have on the drainage and sewage system in East Cowes which already struggles, flooding that occurs when there is a combination of Spring tides, rain and winds. There is frequently a backflow through the existing drainage system and although this development is further along the river it was …….

Mr Chairman I request that a further traffic assessment is carried out before permission may be granted, sustainability needs to be proved by the water companies before any new build takes place. I therefore cannot support this application until further studies have been undertaken and sustainability proved.