Report from I.W. Councillor Roger Mazillius

Posted by Admin on 26 November 2012, 6:06 pm

COUNCILLOR ROGER MAZILLIUS

I.W. COUNCILLOR FOR COWES SOUTH & NORTHWOOD

HARBOUR VISTA

CROWN COURT

SUN HILL

COWES

PO31 7HZ

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Tel: 01983 295556

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Email: roger.mazillius@iow.gov.uk

REPORT – DECEMBER 2012

Cowes Library

Please note the Library will be closed from 3rd to 7th December for the installation of the new self-service kiosk and a more user-friendly counter, re-opening on Saturday 8th December. The self-service will enhance the facilities and will not replace staff who will have more time to help deal with customer enquiries, the use of computers and the range of online services etc.

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Health and Wellbeing Strategy Consultation
Public services on the Island are consulting on this strategic blueprint focusing on five main areas:
1. Ensuring children and young people have the best start in life.
2. Helping and supporting people prepare for old age and to manage long-term health conditions and disabilities.
3.Enabling people to make healthy choices for healthy lifestyles.
4.Building and sustaining economic growth and supporting employment opportunities.
5.Making the Island a better place to live and to visit. A helpful questionnaire can be completed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HealthWellbeing2013-16 or at Cowes or Newport Libraries.
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Asphalt Plant – Medina Wharf
I have asked that this application is determined now (the Council’s Environmental Health report recommends refusal) in view of the further delay occasioned by the Applicants employing new Contaminated Land Consultants to further investigate ground conditions. The Head of Planning has advised that he expects a new contaminated land report to be available within acceptable timescales and it would be better practice to wait for that rather than deal with an expected appeal with all the resource implications involved.
My view is that despite that advice, the application should still be determined as it stands, but at the time of writing this Residents’ Report, I have more expectations of that advice being accepted than my request for early determination.
For further information an application has been made by Eurovia for an Environmental Health Pollution Control Permit to operate a Cold Recycled Mixing Asphalt Process with Jaw Crusher under two separate mobile permits issued by a mainland local authority. The application can be inspected at Environmental Health Service offices at Jubilee Stores, Newport Quay during normal office hours or online at iwight.com/ipr. The consultation ends on 5th December and can be made online via email at PPC.consultation@iow.gov.uk
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Newport Road Sewerage Renewal Closure
Despite the most adverse of weather conditions these works were completed on schedule (in fact I think a day early) and I thank residents for their patience during the diversion period. Residents will also have noticed the re-surfacing of this road from Newport last week, re-instating the surface grip, all the costs of which were borne by the contractor.
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Photovoltaic “Farms”
Three of these environmentally friendly installation planning applications were lodged recently, one at Chawton Farm, Northwood. That is a 20-acre site which when operational is said to provide sufficient electricity for up to 800 homes. The application is supported by comprehensive documentation and makes interesting reading. There are issues with access, visibility and the loss of crop quality agricultural land, all of which were discussed at a recent residents meeting I attended. It seems to me to be a question of balancing our undoubted need for clean energy with the issues mentioned above.
The planning reference is P/01483/12 and whilst the deadline for responses is 9th November all responses will be evaluated. As usual details are available on line via www.iwight.com . The Applicants gave a presentation on the proposals at November’s Parish Council meeting.
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Cowes Enterprise College
I regret the further delay in the move into the new building which has been put back to early in the New Year. As I have previously reported, this new college is a really magnificent facility for 21st century education learning and despite the set backs in occupation remains an excellent example of the Pathfinder design and build scheme which the Island through the Council and College Partnership won in a most competitive environment. It will set the standard for new build educational facilities for years to come.
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Northwood SHLAA Sites
As I have reported before, there are several of these housing allocation sites identified with Northwood which are being considered as part of the Island Plan and in particular, the Medina Valley Area Action Plan (which includes Northwood). One of these sites comprises two fields at Kingshill Dairy on the Newport Road backing onto the south side of Oxford Street. I understand this land is now being offered with development potential for around 100 homes, via Marvins of Cowes.
Whilst this land may be offered for development, the current Island Plan endorsed by an Independent Inspector following a week long Public Enquiry last year makes it clear that as part of the Medina Valley AAP, any such development must be based on proven local housing need. Planners have advised that the Parish Council should be consulted on this need and indeed asked to undertake a Local Housing Needs Survey to demonstrate such local need.
I understand this process is now well underway and would ask residents to respond to Northwood Parish Council as per their report in this issue of Northwood News. In the meantime I remind residents that a previous local housing needs survey estimated that need (to the best of my recollection) as approximately a dozen.
My view has always been that any large scale residential development in Northwood is unnecessary, would change the character of the village, present undesirable traffic movements on already crowded roads, would impose unacceptable demand on the local primary school and would impact on the protected green spaces dividing Northwood from Newport which are specifically protected by the terms of the Island Plan. In short, to develop this land would be against proven planning policies.
In my last report to The Parish Council, I sent a separate briefing from Planning Officers about the SHLAA process relating to the land in question. I can forward this by email or hard copy upon request.
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Northwood Primary School – Academy Status
With the school wishing to progress as an Academy I can forward the briefing note on the I.W. Council’s position on such a progression via my email roger.mazillius@iow.gov.uk or I can send a hard copy via County Hall, Newport, PO30 IUD
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FINALLY Jill and myself wish all residents a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year and thank you for your support, suggestions and friendship during 2012.
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Best wishes
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Roger

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