Is all housing good housing? I think not.
The locals are bemused because the houses being built are at the pricey end of the market – up to £950k each. One of the key questions is whether there will be a market for them. Currently there are over 100 homes on the market in Bembridge for over £100k.
And, what about the infrastructure? Here’s another thorny issue. The area of the development floods every year – and there’s insufficient capacity for sewage treatment for the current community. Already there’s a huge amount of untreated sewage being discharged into the the sea. What will happen if there are thousands more people living in the area?
Of course, more people also means more cars. The roads going into Bembridge are quite narrow with no room for pavements along most of the way. Where are the new residents going to work? It seems that they’re likely to have to drive, so lots of extra traffic will be another hazard. And, what about doctors, schools and other vital facilities – they’re already strained to capacity.
The government are putting their collective feet on the acceleration pedal for new housing. It seems that local communities will struggle to combat the green light being given to developers. This is likely to lead to some pretty crazy projects.
I don’t live in the Isle of Wight or anywhere near Bembridge. This is not simply a NIMBY issue. It’s about what makes sense. I’m sure the local people would be happy to accommodate a growing population if there was a huge demand and it was done well. As it is they’re up in arms.
Let’s hope that someone pays attention. Yes, the nation needs more homes but the government has a responsibility to make sure they’re the right sort of homes in the right places. That means taking account of demand, employment, sewage treatment and road capacity.
And, don’t forget the impact on nature too – if we’re going to destroy ancient oaks we need to know it’s worth the sacrifice.
