Isle of Wight Council confirms it will challenge government's 10,000 homes target

Council leader Cllr Dave Stewart said last week he agreed with MP Bob Seely the targets were too high and the authority needed to build a case to take to the government.

Read more: Isle of Wight Council leader on 10,000 homes plan: "We must build our case to change housing targets"

However, the council previously published the Island Plan — a long-term development strategy which includes plans for the new homes, based on the targets.

Mr Seely has been a vocal critic of the Island Plan and has toured the Isle of Wight urging residents to oppose it.

Speaking after a meeting about the proposed Crossways development at East Cowes, Mr Seely said the homes would not be built for Islanders, but for retirees relocating from the mainland.

"It is designed to hit random government targets. What we need is housing for Islanders in modest numbers that preserves our quality of life," he said.

Read more: Packed meeting at East Cowes Town Hall to discuss controversial Crossways housing development

At a meeting last week, Cllr Stewart said there was a need for new housing. He said more than 2,500 people were on the council's housing waiting list.

Now, the council has announced it will prepare a case that demonstrates 'the real housing needs of the Island.'

The government's housing targets were determined by a formula for councils to 'objectively assess housing needs,' equating to 641 homes a year.

Cllr Stewart said the council had listened to concerns and would now seek to put forward an alternative calculation based on fact, rather than formula, working with Mr Seely to see what could 'realistically be achieved' in terms of housing delivery.

However, he warned: “We can’t just say to the minister we don’t want any houses on the Isle of Wight.

“We must provide homes that meet the needs of the Island — housing of all types and tenures, including more affordable housing."

Cllr Stewart said the authority would gather evidence in several ways, including engaging with town and parish councils and the Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils, to gather information.

The draft Island Plan was published for public consultation last year. It will be subject to further consultation, published in the new year and launched in March, replacing the Core Strategy that has been in place since 2012.

UPDATE: Bob Seely MP has 'welcomed' the news from the council about the changing house target.

Mr Seely said: "I'm pleased the Isle of Wight Council is listening to residents’ concerns that the Island cannot cope with this level of new housing.

"Members of the council have clearly heard residents’ concerns and are now responding. This is good news. We need to work together to tackle the Government on these targets.

“I’m glad the council has announced that the Local Plan will be redrafted and will be subject to further consultation before it is agreed.

“I encourage Islanders to engage in that consultation when it’s launched in March to make their views known.

“No one is arguing that we don’t need new housing. What the Island is saying is that it has to be primarily for Islanders, young and old, and it needs to be in appropriate numbers, in existing communities near existing services, not on unsustainable green field sites.

“I will work with the council to develop an evidence-based plan. I very much hope to have the chance to discuss this with Councillors soon.”