By Isle of Wight Observer
A couple of years ago the planning department sought the support of community, parish and town councils to support enhanced planning enforcement services. This allowed the IW Council to enhance its planning enforcement team and take action within those local councils providing extra support.
Within the Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council area this resulted in supporting efforts to tidy up land and buildings. In the last quarter, between October 1 and December 31, 2024, this meant 23 planning enforcement cases were investigated in the town centre, 7 planning enforcement cases, 30 per cent of the total were closed, 22 cases were investigated for the wider community council area and 13 cases were investigated and closed. Other councils supporting enhanced planning enforcement services are Ryde and Sandown.
Hearings for the Island’s new planning Bible – the Island plan, take place from Tuesday (February 25) at County Hall and will take 2-3 weeks. Sessions can be viewed and will be live-streamed. For updates visit iw.observer/ips-meetings.
Following consultation, new Local Community Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plans for Sandown Bay, Bembridge, Brading & St Helens and for East Cowes & Whippingham were adopted by Cabinet. After feedback with respect to conflict between pedestrians and cyclists in Cowes town centre, proposals for Cowes, Northwood & Gurnard require further amendment. Discussions on this will follow.
Throughout the Island urgent repairs are due to take place to public slipway and adjoining areas. In addition, groynes are due to be rebuilt at Lake Cliffs and Colwell, whilst the groyne opposite Gurnard Pumping Station is due to be reconstructed.
The first meeting of the Isle of Wight Landslide and Coastal Loss Forum met this month. The purpose of the group is to focus on Islandwide issues related to landslides, coastal erosion and their impact on the community and environment.