New Sandown Flats With 'Easy Access To The Beach' Given Council Approval

New flats including a ‘starter home’ that was ‘designed with families in mind’ will be built in the centre of an Isle of Wight town.

Council planners approved Andrew Bishop’s application to construct a 3.5 metre two-storey extension and carry out an internal renovation at 90 Station Avenue in Sandown.

His proposal is to replace two existing apartments – one two-bedroom unit on the first floor and one with a single bedroom below – with four new flats.

County Hall said Mr Bishop’s plans would ‘conserve and enhance the character, context, and appearance’ of the Sandown Conservation Area.

An officer report said:

“Although the proposal would involve the loss of some amenity space and more residents living on the site, there would be space for bins and cycle stores with an ample retained amenity space.

"There is also easy access to the beach and other outdoor recreational spaces for residents.

“Island Roads have concluded that as a result of a site inspection and evaluation of the site accessibility with a school, bus stop, train station and shops nearby, as well as the potential impact on existing on-street parking, the proposal would not have a negative impact on highway safety on the surrounding highway network.”

The council’s consent comes with six conditions to ensure the development aligns with national planning legislation and Island planning policy and for amenity, privacy, conservation and suitable drainage.

Barbara Nabb, of 15 Sandham Close, said the proposal seemed a “sensible use of available brownfield space” to “increase the town’s stock of small, hopefully affordable homes”.