Fight against Pennyfeathers
Pennyfeathers plan a cause for concern
Plans for the vast Pennyfeathers development on green land behind Westridge continue. Roger Whitby-Smith has asked any concerned individuals to contact him directly as he is seriously considering setting up a protest group to oppose this development. Concerned Ryde residents should let the council know their feelings now.... Please read Roger's letter
From Roger Whitby-Smith, Ryde:
THE IW Society studied the Pennyfeathers development and questioned the consultants at some length. There are still a number of issues which give rise to deep concerns. Regrettably, the letters column does not provide sufficient space to present those concerns and comments, which run to three closely typed pages.
The total number of new accommodation units (houses and flats) built or re-developed in Ryde and its environ over the last couple of years, along with those that have current planning approval or are waiting for it, come very close to the whole Island annual requirement.
Among those there are low-cost options for purchase and units for sale and rental. While on the subject of numbers, recent figures for the homeless on the Island indicated there were 100 individuals classified as homeless while at the same time indications were there are 1,500 empty accommodation units.
We in the society are fully aware the government is hoping the building industry will lead the way out of unemployment. In consequence, local authorities are encouraged to put huge swathes of green land into Strategic Development Plans without giving a thought to how valuable such areas are for the well-being of their constituents.
There is no need whatsoever, for a huge complex, especially one that desecrates an area of green countryside to be approved by the IW Council for development. Looking at the track record of the planning department and councillors over the last few decades, many residents are afraid that those who do not live in the Ryde area may impose a development before the infrastructure is such that it is able to handle the impact of thousands of residents who will occupy this addition of a thousand new houses.
I am seriously considering setting up an active protest group to oppose Pennyfeathers. If there is sufficient interest shown by the number who contact me by e-mail at rogerandjanet59@talktalk.net, then a group can be formed and be active by mid-October at the latest.
