RESIDENTS of East Cowes have been left 'horrified' by the latest plans for a proposed development of 154 new homes, their local councillor has said.

Exhibitions were held to show the new plans in Whippingham Community Hall on June 19 and in East Cowes Town Hall on June 27.

Concerns have been raised that facilities and infrastructure such as roads, health services and schools are already struggling to meet demand and the development could stretch them to breaking point.

The development is planned for the green space between Whippingham Road, Beatrice Avenue and Crossways Road, adjacent to Queensgate Foundation Primary School.

About 170 people attended the consultation to view information about the proposals from iWight Developments.

IW Council member for East Cowes, Cllr Karl Love said: “You can’t have this on an arterial road that brings things into the Island. Where are the doctors coming from? It is already a three-week waiting list unless it is an absolute emergency.

“People were shocked. People were horrified by it.”

In a consultation in July 2018, the plans initially suggested the inclusion of a discount retail store, such as an Aldi or Lidl, however this is no longer the case.

They now propose a range of two, three and four-bedroom homes, all with private gardens, and a community open space.

Cllr Love said: “The people in the previous consultation said no, they didn’t want it, and this plan is actually worse than the previous plan.

“It doesn’t regenerate the area in any shape or form. It is a 1960s style housing estate, that’s what it is."

He said local residents were overwhelmingly against it.

Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely said: "Throughout the summer I have been meeting residents across the Island who have concerns with the Island Plan and the unsustainable housing target of over 9,000 new homes.

"I, like many, am concerned that these homes are not being built for Islanders and pose a great risk to our unique Island Environment by being built on Green Field Sites."

He will be attending the East Cowes Town Council meeting on the Thursday July 18 to discuss the Crossways development and the housing target of over 274 homes for the town under the Island Plan.

Following the consultation, developers iWight Developments will review the plans and an outline planning application is expected by September, with a view to start work next year.

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