An Isle of Wight Council cabinet meeting got heated last week, when the controversial Draft Island Planning Strategy (DIPS) was once again discussed.

If agreed, the planning strategy will set the Island's housing targets, try for more affordable housing discounts and update planning policies.

However, the document has gone back and forth, with disagreements over what still needs to be amended.

So far, discussions have taken seven years and have cost £660,000.
 

Scroll down to watch the video (the section starts at around eight minutes in)...

Ahead of a full council meeting on May 1, leading cabinet members discussed what their recommendation would be.

Non-cabinet member, Cllr Peter Spink, who had previously called for the document to be returned to cabinet for more discussion citing issues include decisions around potential development sites, 'windfall sites' and how local need is identified, was in attendance on Thursday, April 18.

Cllr Spink, who is not on the cabinet, told the meeting 'just about all' of his amendments 'had been turned down in writing' and he had not been cooperated with.

He asked if the "best and most versatile agricultural land" had been taken out of the allocations covered by the scheme.

Cabinet member, Cllr Paul Fuller said: "There is a policy. That was quite important to be included from the get-go. The retention of our agricultural land is very, very important."

He said it meant development plans for Grade 1,2 and 3a land could be challenged. 

Cllr Spink said his question was not being answered, reiterating he wanted some agricultural land to be removed altogether, not just covered by policy.

Voices were raised between Cllr Spink, who said his question had not been answered and Isle of Wight Council Leader, Cllr Phil Jordan, who repeatedly said a written response would be provided.

"I am going to continue with this," Cllr Spink retorted and said he would move on when he had his first answer.

He went on to ask: "Is the cabinet really in favour of the DIPS reducing the power of the planning committee as the decision-maker, re allocated sites? Do you want to answer that, or do you need time to consider it?"

Voices were once again raised with Cllr Spink saying, "I will speak!"

Cllr Phil Jordan stood and said, "Actually, you won't speak."

'How dare you,' retorted Cllr Spink, refusing to leave the room at the request of the leader.

"I shan't go, said Cllr Spink adding, "disgrace."

Cllr Jordan asked an officer to arrange for Cllr Spink to be removed and suspended the meeting, before proposing, "This member shall be heard no further."

There followed a unanimous agreement to to recommend the planning strategy to full council.