AN ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCILLOR has claimed he was gagged, with a 'concerted effort' made to stop him speaking out against the controversial Westridge Farm application which was determined last night (Tuesday).

Cllr Michael Lilley, representative for Ryde Appley and Elmfield, the ward in which the development sits, has been strongly against the 473-home proposal since it was first announced.

Cllr Lilley, however, is also a chair of the planning committee who was set to determine the major scheme.

Ahead of the meeting, Cllr Lilley said he stood down as chair and from his place on the committee so he could speak against the West Acre development.

He said it was an accepted practice that ward councillors could attend and voice their objections on behalf of their residents.

Cllr Lilley said monitoring officer, Chris Potter, then told him he could not attend but instead appear virtually.

However, he was told yesterday he could only send a written statement.

Cllr Lilley said: "I was unable to get independent advice and, being told I would jeopardise any future appeal, I had no choice to abide by the monitoring officer's decision.

"I believe there has been a concerted effort to stop me talking and properly representing my residents.

"Preventing a democratically elected councillor from being at the meeting was a violation of democracy and human rights."

Speaking at the planning meeting yesterday, acting chair Cllr Geoff Brodie said the was monitoring officer's advice was because of the risk of prejudicing the decision of the committee.

A statement was read out by strategic planning manager Ollie Boulter from Cllr Lilley, who said it would be an overdevelopment of the area due to 1,400 other houses in the area approved to be built already.

Cllr Lilley wrote: "The council will be making the family homeless, taking away a man’s livelihood and confiscating a child’s future.

"Sheer common sense and rationality dictates human rights issues are absolutely central to this.

"If you agree this application you will be denying Island residents their human rights and breaking the council's constitution."

Speaking after the decision was made to give the development the go ahead, Cllr Lilley said the decision was totally wrong.

He said: "I am devastated by the outcome of the meeting and for the farming family who now face the loss of their home and livelihood.

"This is a great injustice and I will be working with local residents to take this decision to judicial review."

The Isle of Wight Council have been contacted for comment.