Isle of Wight housing estate West Acre Park gets underway

The developer behind the West Acre Park project in Ryde, which includes commercial space, a doctor’s surgery and a cafe, hailed the marking of a ‘major milestone’ for one of the Island’s most significant new housing estates.

Isle of Wight East Conservative MP Joe Robertson visited the site alongside representatives from the developer, Captiva Homes.

Mr Robertson said the developer is set to become the ‘biggest provider’ on the Island, delivering around 70 per cent of affordable housing supply next year.

The MP said: “By 2029, they will have delivered the largest ever affordable housing project in the East Wight, including provision for a new medical centre should the Integrated Care Board decide to commission it.

“It has already helped reduce the council’s backlog of people accommodated in inappropriately oversized homes, freeing up accommodation for families in need.

“There is much more to be done, but this is the most significant local solution that is beginning to deliver.”

Iain Delaney, CEO of Captiva Homes, said: “The start of construction at West Acre Park is an incredibly proud moment for everyone involved. As well as delivering desperately needed homes, developments of this scale generate significant investment in the Island economy and create lasting benefits for the local community.

“Additionally, Sovereign Network Group stands ready to partner on the site with an investment of more than £40 million to deliver 135 social rent and 58 shared ownership homes.

“This helps us provide a range of housing options which, combined with a diverse mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes, will help hundreds of Island families into homes of their own.”

Ward councillor Michael Lilley, a leading critic of the development, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that ‘many questions are unanswered’ and local people ‘feel aggrieved’.

The Liberal Democrat representative for Ryde Appley and Elmfield said residents in his ward have exercised their right to ‘question the process’ and decisions behind the West Acre Park application.

He told the LDRS: “Firstly, to support three generations of tenant farmers who lost their right to farm but lately to make sure this development had the right infrastructures to support this huge increase in population.

“Many questions are unanswered and residents do feel aggrieved. We do need social housing for rent in Ryde and hopefully Captiva and SNG Housing will start building bridges with residents so the strong Appley and Elmfield community spirit is able to embrace the development in openness and transparency, including listening and resolving residents’ on-going concerns.”

A spokesperson for Greenfields (IOW), a company established by residents which has taken court action against County Hall over West Acre Park, said it will continue to challenge the council’s issuing of the December 2025 decision notice for the development until ‘all legal avenues are blocked’.