Isle of Wight News from OnTheWight

OnTheWight spoke to Ian Boyd from The Common Space at the launch of the  Isle of Wight Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). Ian explained the work that he and his team at The Common Space have been doing for the past 18 months and outlined what we can all do to help protect biodiversity on the Isle of Wight.

OnTheWight spoke with James Brewer at the launch of the  Isle of Wight Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) on Friday 16th May 2025. He outlined the work that had taken place over the previous two years and why it is important for us all do our bit to protect, conserve and enhance the natural world around us.

OnTheWight sits down with Phil Gibby, Director of Arts Council England South West Area at the launch of Department, Ryde. We cover a range of issues, but highlights include the Arts Council’s role in facilitating conversations and supporting artists; the tenacity of local artists, particularly Shademakers, for their entrepreneurial spirit and problem-solving skills; the importance of sharing best practices from successful projects, like the one in Ryde, to inspire and guide future cultural capital projects.

The final part of four of the interview with Ollie Boulter, Head of Planning and Infrastructure for the Isle of Wight council. We cover the energy efficiency of buildings – and the steps IWC are taking to exceed current government insulation standards, the reaction of IW developers and how the new build market is now seeking the highest levels of energy efficiency. There’s an exploration of the need to increase skills and widen trades – and finally “Brown envelopes”.

Third part (of four) of the interview with Ollie Boulter, Head of Planning and Infrastructure for the Isle of Wight council. We cover the building of new houses for people to rent and buy; the Airbnb dilemma; government targets; how planning officers weigh up harm and benefit and how they balance it. We end with how Isle of Wight council (IWC) is reaching to double the affordableness of new houses being built here.

Second part of the interview with Ollie Boulter, Head of Planning and Infrastructure for the Isle of Wight council. We cover, in detail, the purpose and process of pre-planning applications, life as a planning officer on IW, the department’s accumulated knowledge, the need for planning officers to understand a local community and how do they stay on top of so many different planning applications. We also talk about changes to the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework), which occurred in Dec […]

Ollie Boulter, Head of Planning and Infrastructure for the Isle of Wight council, explains his role, which includes overseeing planning applications, local planning policies and enforcement. During our two-hour conversation (broken up into several parts), Ollie emphasises the importance of balancing competing interests in planning, considering social, environmental and economic factors. The conversation provided a fascinating insight into the world of Planning and Infrastructure.

Elsie Calder was announced as Brave Island’s Isle of Wight Young Artist of the Year Award 2024 at the launch of the Quay Arts exhibition on Saturday 5th October 2024. OnTheWight spoke to Elsie after she received the award.

OnTheWight sat down with Zoe Portsmouth, a valued member of the Bay Area Youth Project team who has spearheaded the inclusion of young girls in the sport of boxing. Zoe explains her own journey into boxing, transitioning from fitness to competitive boxing, and how this helped her find her identity again after managing various responsibilities as a manager, mum, and daughter. Through working with the Bay area Youth Project, Zoe was introduced to filmmaker Bruce Webb, whose documentary about Zoe […]

OnTheWight speaks to Hugh Wells, Managing Director of AJ Wells & Sons Ltd. On 17th September 2024, the company were presented with The King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade, by Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Susie Sheldon. OnTheWight caught up with Hugh following the celebration event to find out more about the award, the challenges of a growing business, how Christian faith plays an important part in the running of the business, and much much.