Two 'Unsafe And Unsightly' Brading Houses Could Be Demolished Following 'Catastrophic Fire'

Two ‘unsafe and unsightly’ houses on a main Isle of Wight road could be demolished following a fatal fire.

Joanne Still applied to the council for permission to demolish two ‘significantly fire-damaged buildings’ – 54 and 56 New Road in Brading – and build a replacement property.

On December 1, 2023, a fire started at No. 56 which it went on to ‘completely’ destroy before spreading next-door, according to the Andrew White Planning Consultancy.

The blaze resulted in the death of 60-year-old John Kent, the owner of No. 56.

Ms Still’s proposed two-storey house would be a redevelopment of No. 54 which she owns part of.

It would comprise a kitchen, dining room, lounge, hallway, utility room, two WCs, three bedrooms and a bathroom.

“This application will see the demolition of the buildings which will be an immediate improvement to the visual amenities of the area,” the consultancy said.

“The future development of the neighbouring site (No. 56) remains uncertain as the elderly owner tragically died in the fire and the property was not insured.

“However, it is necessary to demolish the entire pair for safety reasons and to enable the redevelopment of No. 54.

“The development proposed is able to demonstrate a design which is completely compatible with the character and appearance of its surroundings, visually attractive and has no adverse impacts on the amenities of the neighbouring residential uses or highway considerations”.

County Hall’s public consultation on the application ends on May 13 and a decision is expected on June 3.