By Tilly Walder
Determined campaigning has exercised its power once again, as protestors celebrate receiving permission this week to appeal July’s High Court decision, which could bring a final end to the proposed housing development on Westridge Farm.
The application for Bembridge-based developer, Captiva Homes, to build what they described as 473 “much needed” houses, including 166 affordable homes, on the farm near Ryde, was initially refused. However, in a surprising turn of events, because councillors failed to agree the reasons for refusal, it was then approved during the same council meeting in July 2021, despite more than 500 objections. More than 5,000 people had also signed a petition supporting efforts of the then-tenant farmers, the Holliday family, to fight the development. However, a statement from the family later said that “with a heavy heart”, they would cease farming in October 2022, as they had “no fight left”.
The planning process has been fraught with difficulties, including the scheme having to return to the planning committee after it came to light that Natural England had not been properly consulted, which was necessary as the site is home to protected curlews, a wading seabird.
The campaigners’ claim that the approval of planning permission has been “a huge miscarriage of justice”, with alleged “intense bullying of IW councillors, and alleged lying by Isle of Wight Council planning staff.”
The scheme has now been paused, and no building will take place until after the court case has been heard. The whole future of the housing scheme is now dependent on the outcome of the appeal.
In September last year, the campaigners’ lawyers, Greenfields, applied for permission to appeal against the court decision. Speaking yesterday (Thursday) enthusiastic campaigner and local councillor, Michael Lilley, said: “Several close friends and residents who were campaigning have died before seeing justice. What happened in July 2021 was devastating. The way the farming family that has been there for decades was treated was awful; they lost their income and had to leave.
“That land has been there for thousands of years and is the curlews’ feeding grounds; it’s important green space. The farm is flooded at the moment, it’s part of a flood plain and it doesn’t make sense to build there. Housing is needed – but this is in the wrong place.
“I think it’s great that this is going to the highest court in the land and glad we will have two days to get justice. So far the people have not been given a voice. Thank you for helping with that. The thing I respect about the IW Observer is that it’s a people’s paper.
“This is a David and Goliath case, and David is not still not giving in.”
Captiva Homes and the IW Council were approached for a comment, but did not respond by the time we went to press last night (Thursday).
Isle of Wight Observer