Pennyfeathers arguments to be heard by council

Absolutely guys. Council's all over the world are run by vested interest, which often comes in brown paper bags. However Australia is as corrupt and hell-bent on perpetual growth as anywhere. We started a pro-Noosa (our shire) movement and put candidates up in every division. We won a majority and then educated the others about sustainable population; based on the scientifically analysed carrying capacity of the land (water, food, energy and infrastructure) Then asked locals what numbers they wanted to maintain the lifestyles they cherished. ie What attracts you or what do you love about the Isle of Wight? We identified every square mile as either suitable for business or rural pursuits, leisure, green open space, conservation etc. Created a zoning system which locked the land-use into place and sealed it in law. No matter what the development companies threw at us, they could not get a material change of use through the courts. So take control of your own destiny. Form an IOW Inc. ??

Yes we have the power to get the council out at the next election. They are voted in by the populus and should have our intrests at mind. Some people I have spoken too recently think these big housing developments are "A done deal", espesially the 89 houses in Arreton !! To much money involved to refuse them !! Smacks to me of being well connected & in the right lodge & not giving a toss about local feelings. Greedy landowners !

What a sensible Country Australia must be Mr Fry - If only we had caring politicians and administrators like that in England and especially on the Isle of Wight. Mind you, we can kick out our local Councillors who don't back preserving this lovely Island.

Another worthwhile tactic is to apply for World heritage status for the whole island. It puts another hurdle in the developer's way. You need a committee some environmental and cultural scientists, a PR officer and lots of forms. We did this here and were accepted. it's not too difficult as WH are keen to add areas that have significant cultural, environmental and historical value. The island has all three. The red squirrel alone is a good weapon, as there are not yet any American Greys there - YET. If you get this going I may even come over and help, if I can afford it.

This development will be one of hundreds on greenfield sites, maybe even thousands. I have been through all this before and after a bit of friendly PR, the companies will turn nasty and go to court. The only way to stop this juggernaut is for council to use qualified experts to write a new strategic plan that includes a one-in-one-out population cap. We did this where I live and it identified no-go areas for development and brown-field sites only for productive job-creating developments. The number of people registered on the electoral roll is set at 67,000 with a variance for births, deaths etc. It was challenged in the high court by developers no less than forty times and we won each time. The next weapon they used was to successfully lobby state government to dissolve our council and amalgamate it with the wider region, thus negating our town plan. So we threw the government out and go to a referendum next month to get our council and town plan back. PS I currently live in Australia

Yes

I have put my objection in writing on the Council planning website. Has everyone else?
http://www.iwight.com/council/departments/planning/appsdip/AppDetails3.aspx?frmId=26188

THERES A LOT OF SNOW COMING ABOUT WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND I MEAN A LOT

TR, I am not one to defend Mike crowe as he has insulted me unneccesarily on several occasions in the past, however, I think the point he makes is that regeneration and redevelopment of existing brown field sites should be viewed more favourably than development on green field sites. The Pennyfeathers proposal is massive by any standards and would undeniably result in the loss of a great deal of green land.

""T Rollingsworth Mike, I like that when you are allowed input and it's your friends that you are all for the development, you would fit in perfectly at the council. Propaganda and corruption at it's best!""

Sorry, speakers too high. Please explain what you are waffling about.

Any views or opinions presented in the comments above are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the Isle of Wight County Press.