Implications for the Isle of Wight
Four
options have been identified by the Isle of Wight Council for the future role
of the Island.
Option A
– Rates of housing development would remain at current planned rates (520
homes per annum). Rates of economic development would also continue at current
rates. This level of housing development could be accommodated on sites
identified through the urban potential study, though densities would need to be
higher and more employment sites and car parks would need to be developed for
housing. Such a level of growth may not provide for projected household growth
and would not erode the existing shortfall in the supply of affordable housing.
Option B
– Rates of housing development would increase substantially in order to
deal with the existing shortfall in the supply of affordable housing. Rates of
economic development would continue at current rates. Housing development at
this scale would require higher densities, use of additional previously
developed land (including employment sites), additional funding for affordable
housing and the release of additional greenfield sites. There would be increased pressure on
existing infrastructure. Additional
investment in infrastructure would be required.
Option C
– Rates of housing development would be linked to economic-led
regeneration. To be sustainable such
growth would need to minimise resource demands and environmental impacts and
ensure that development is of the right quality and quantity. There would be enhanced prospects for
regeneration, more balanced local communities, a more self-contained labour
market based on a strengthened local economy and skills enhancement. Additional investment in infrastructure
would be required.
Option D
– The highest rate of growth would be housing-led. It would require
strengthened links with the mainland in the form of enhanced ferry services and
reduced journey times. It assumes increased commuting to work on the
mainland. This option would result in
increased pressure for the release of greenfield land and enhanced
infrastructure.
Preferred
Option - The Council’s preferred option is C, with a level of housing
development of at least 520 additional homes per annum between 2006 and
2026. This strategy for the Isle of
Wight is based on managed economic growth and regeneration to provide for the
Island’s particular characteristics and needs. Future development is expected
to create wealth and a sustainable economy, to address skills deficits and
housing need, to provide for improved public transport infrastructure and to
respect the environment, safeguarding biodiversity and areas of landscape and
ecological importance.
Isle of Wight Special Policies
The
special policies for the Island have been developed specifically to aid the
delivery of Option C. They are as
follows:
POLICY IW1: ENABLING
ECONOMIC REGENERATION
To help
realise a step change in the Isle of Wight’s economic performance and to
actively support economic regeneration and renewal, an improved quality tourism
product and inward investment, national, regional and other relevant agencies
and authorities should give increased priority to investment decisions and
other direct support for the island. Key measures should include:
i The development of infrastructure and inward
investment opportunities in the
Medina Valley
ii Support for the development of centres of
vocational excellence in the sectors
of composites, marine and aeronautical skills and
construction related industries including any associated academic
establishments
iii Support for inward investment and development to
regenerate key areas identified in Ryde, Sandown Bay, Ventnor and West Wight
iv Support for urban renewal and intensification
particularly where this can secure contributions for improvements in the public
realm
v The need to improve the
tourism offer to one that focuses on a higher quality, higher value product.
As an
island economy the Isle of Wight has particular characteristics and needs. Tailored solutions will be required to
tackle the problems of unemployment and deprivation. In diversifying the rural
economy of the island local partners will need to ensure that all sectors of
the local community can be involved in the economy and that it is sensitive to
the natural resources, landscape and cultural features.
The
tourism product on the island has developed over many years and both the
quality and range of the accommodation supply is no longer sustainable if the
island is to prosper. The volume of
visitors during the peak season causes significant strain on the island’s
infrastructure and environment, but does not bring sufficient economic return
in terms of investment and job opportunities. A significant volume of the
assets employed in this sector of the island’s economy are at risk and are
currently migrating to inappropriate alternative housing uses which existing
policies are unable to address.
The
island recognises the need for investment in better quality assets at a volume
that the environment and community can accommodate. This will bring opportunities for the redevelopment of previously developed land for appropriate uses
as part of a deep-seated exit strategy for redundant assets. This strategy will
also seek to secure adequate contributions for investment in tourism related
infrastructure. The development of tailored tourism development strategies will
particularly address:
·
support
for quality hotel development and conference facilities
·
support
for appropriate tourism-related retail facilities
·
support
for tourism-related centres of vocational excellence including any associated
academic establishment
·
exit
strategies for redundant tourism accommodation coupled with contributions to improved tourism related infrastructure.
POLICY
IW2: STRATEGIC TRANSPORT LINKS
The Isle of Wight is reliant
upon efficient and well managed links to the mainland. The strategic Cross Solent links should be
maintained and improved to provide a service which fits with this role, and
should form part of an integrated transport approach developed at the local
level.
The Isle
of Wight is reliant upon good links to the mainland and it is therefore
important that cross-Solent links are maintained and improved. The Regional Transport Strategy has
recognised the Importance of improving the transport infrastructure and
identified the
development
of a new transport interchange at Ryde.
The local authority is looking to maintain
and improve communications between the island and the mainland as part of a
sustainable transport strategy through the Local Development Framework, Local
Transport Plan and partnership working with transport operators. Consideration should be given to the
potential to provide a second local transport hub to support regeneration
initiatives.
POLICY
IW3: INFRASTRUCTURE
The planning authorities will ensure that the
infrastructure needed to support development in the special policy area is
identified during the refinement of the strategy for the special policy area.
As part of this work the issues of phasing of development in relationship to
the provision of infrastructure will be addressed. Detailed proposals for the
timely implementation of the infrastructure required to support further growth
will be developed during the refinement of the strategy for the special policy
area.
POLICY
IW4: RURAL AREAS
The quality and character of
the rural environment should be maintained and enhanced, while securing
necessary change to meet the economic and social needs of local people and
visitors. Special consideration should be given to rural priority areas.
There are
particular issues facing the island’s rural areas which are less accessible
and, with fewer job opportunities, suffer from problems of isolation and lower
incomes. The policy approach to
implement this strategy will be developed at a local level through the LDF,
which will require a tailored and integrated approach that focuses on people as
well as places, to help maintain and enhance the environment while encouraging
the development of diverse and sustainable
communities. The local authority
will need to work with regional and local partners to develop programmes, which
encourage enterprise in the rural economy as well as initiatives to sustain
diverse rural communities.
POLICY
IW5: SCALE AND TYPE OF HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT
The final version of the
strategy will include a policy (or policies) setting out the overall level of
housing provision, phasing and the type of housing that will be provided. In the meantime, the preferred overall level
of housing provision is at least 10,400 additional homes over the 20 years 2006
to 2026.
The range
and type of housing required, together with the distribution and means of
implementation will be developed through the LDF. The LDF will need to develop
policies to monitor and manage the level of housing provision which clearly
link with the objectives of achieving economic regeneration and increasing and
improving employment opportunities on the Isle of Wight and the provision of
affordable housing. Higher levels of
housing provision will only be expected to be provided once the economic
drivers are in place and being implemented and are likely to come into play
during later stages of the Plan period.
RELEVANT PLANS, POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
The
statutory planning policy function plays a key role in delivery of targets, and
objectives in the Corporate Plan, Community Strategy, UDP, LTP, as well as
those of agencies other than the Council.
The Local Development Framework will need to conform with the Regional Spatial Strategy – SE Plan and it will be the LDF which will be key to delivering the aims and objectives of the many strategies produced by the Council and other agencies for the foreseeable future.
CONSULTATION PROCESS
Production
of the SE Plan is the responsibility of SEERA.
They have undertaken research and MORI polls across the region and also
instigated debates with stakeholders to assist in formulation of the Draft
Plan. As part of the consultation
process now underway, SEERA will be sending a leaflet/questionnaire to all
households. The Council has provided
links from its website to that for the SE Plan and has arranged advertisements
in the County Press. SEERA have also
arranged a meeting for 4 March 2005 at the Riverside Centre with invitations to
hard to reach groups.
The
Council has requested the inclusion of special policies as part of the SE Plan
and has agreed to be involved in the consultation process.
FINANCIAL, LEGAL, CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS
The SE Plan is a formal part of the development plan
covered by the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.
The
costs of the consultation process are being borne by SEERA.
APPENDICES ATTACHED
1. SE Plan Options for Growth and Distribution patterns – Maps
2. SE Plan Draft Policies
BACKGROUND PAPERS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT
Consultation
Draft SE Plan
Isle
of Wight Special Policies for the SE Plan
Contact Point : Ashley Curzon, ext 5557
COUNCILLOR MRS TERRY BUTCHERS
Portfolio Holder for Sustainable
Development, Environment and Planning Policy