RURAL watchdog the CPRE has welcomed the Tories' brownfield development plan for Newport...but warned more needs to be done to stop the Island's countryside disappearing under concrete.
Last week, the Conservative group on the Isle of Wight Council unveiled a far-reaching scheme for the county town, which could see County Hall demolished and the fire and police stations sold off to make way for a new residential Riverside Quarter, linking to the Newport Harbour plans.
While welcoming the use of so-called brownfield land, the CPRE has pointed to what it sees as unreasonable housing targets of 675 houses per year for the Island from government.