Isle of Wight Council (IWC) has committed to transforming itself into “the first truly sustainable island”, with a package of measures launched at its first Eco-Island conference providing a major boost for sustainable building and renewables. Dr Paul K Hatchwell reports from Cowes on a remarkable policy shift.

A key part of the vision, a low carbon spatial ‘manifesto’ for the Island for 2008/9, involving design will be developed in consultation with leading architect Sir Terry Farrell, appointed as ‘ambassador’ for the Island vision.

The Eco-Island vision, values and priorities have been formulated by the Island Strategic Partnership, with Key Delivery Partnerships acting to deliver the vision and report on progress quarterly. ISP says this will be done in phases through the emerging Island Plan that is to replace the Unitary Development Plan as the Island’s planning blueprint.
A key aspect of the vision sought is a commitment that “all major development is built to the Level 4 code of sustainability by the time the plan is launched 2009/2010 and to level five from 2012 and level six from 2016”.

Launching the strategy* at the first Eco-Isle conference in Cowes, to be followed by annual standing conferences, Council leader Cllr. David Pugh said: “We have agreed an exciting and innovative programme of measures which will dovetail in with our Eco Island vision which plans to make the Isle of Wight a beacon of green excellence in the country”.

u www.eco-island.org.uk; u www.iwight.com; u www.terryfarrell.co.uk