As Islanders, we share a common love for our Island’s natural beauty.
There are exciting plans to improve protected landscapes in the UK – defined as landscapes which are key part of our nation’s natural world.
Over half the Island is already designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
It’s a remarkable mosaic of nationally recognised landscapes: pasture, chalk downs, woodland, two of four heritage coasts in South East England, beaches, harbours and creeks.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged to increase protected landscapes in Britain, and I am talking with the council and government about a possible ‘island designation’ as a new national designation.
This would mean higher environment standards, with measures to create a sustainable future for humans and nature.
A few political opponents claim I want a National Park, and we’ll be snowed under with new regulations. This is untrue.
Why Isle of Wight National Park is not feasible
While having a National Park on the Island would be popular with some, it is not feasible in this era.
However, a new ‘island designation’ could be. Here are some reasons for an island designation.
Our protected landscape is fragmented into individual packets. Island designation would improve unified landscape and maritime protection. On land it would mean a higher standard of protection.
Due to our limited space, islands are particularly sensitive to over-development. Most of our rivers are now heavily modified, and none are rated good. In the last 50 years, several dozen species have became extinct locally, largely due to habitat change and habitat loss.
An island destination would imply a block, as it currently does in all AONB areas, on large-scale, greenfield development.
Development would need to be small-scale and more focused on affordable housing for islanders. Frankly, this is what Islanders want.
A single protected landscape status would also fit with the Island’s status as a UNESCO biosphere.
I’d suggest that ‘island designation’ should have a strong element that supports a sustainable future for people as well as nature.
It would serve as a branding for the Island to support tourism and Island food and drink produce.
It would include agricultural support. Under the current system, Island farmers have struggled to compete, despite the advantages of producing food and drink in Britain’s sunniest environments. I want to change that.
Summing up, recognising island status for islands, makes sense, for us and other UK islands, helping to create a sustainable future for both human and natural worlds.
Do you have a view on Mr Seely's opinion. Send us a letter to editor@iwcp.co.uk
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