Major Housing Development Given Green Light Despite 24 Objections

Building site (stock image)

A 27-unit housing development will be built on a greenfield site next to an Isle of Wight village, despite 24 objections and opposition from two local councils.

County Hall gave Robert Gordon of Wight & West Country Developments permission to construct 27 homes to the south of Pallance Road along with an access from Northwood’s Harry Cheek Gardens.

Mr Gordon’s agent, the Andrew White Planning Consultancy, previously described the application as a ‘significant contribution to housing supply’, with the proposed units ‘designed to a high quality’ and including a ‘range of types and sizes’.

In a report explaining the approval, the council said the development featured nine homes for ‘affordable rent’ – roughly 35 per cent of the proposed total and in line with Island planning policy requirements.

“It is considered that the application site is within a sustainable location for new housing development,” the document stated.

“In addition, it is considered that the proposed housing would provide a suitable level of accommodation and that an acceptable level of on-site affordable housing would be provided as agreed by legal agreement.

“The proposed housing would change the rural character of the immediate area, by introducing an extension to the built area of Northwood.

"However, it is considered that the change to the landscape would be within a discrete area that is not prominent.

“The council’s ecology officer has advised that the site is of limited ecology value due to the regular flailing of hedgerows and because the field is currently of species poor grassland.”

Nineteen conditions were attached to the permission with aims including adequate drainage, reducing flooding risk, protecting the environment and water quality, maintaining the area’s amenity and character and ensuring privacy for neighbours.

Those opposed to the application include Cowes Town Council, Northwood Parish Council, the Campaign to Protect Rural England’s (CPRE) Isle of Wight branch and members of the public.

Concern was voiced over a wide range of issues including sewage, the development being outside of a settlement boundary and having adverse visual impacts, serious negative effects on the area’s highway network and local services lacking capacity.

Opponents also expressed disquiet relating to noise and pollution, overdevelopment and the loss of a walking route.

Edward Nicholson, chair of CPRE Isle of Wight, previously said the applicant had ‘not demonstrated how the scheme will enhance the character and appearance of the area’.