Could the narrow, winding, stone-walled roads of Bonchurch be suitable for a proposed influx of traffic?
Concerned village residents think not as they raise traffic objections over the proposed development of East Dene into a boutique hotel with eco-lodges.
The former children’s activity centre closed in 2020, due to the pandemic, but could be given a new lease of life as a wellness retreat under its new owners Wonder Wellbeing.
While the overall development has been branded as ‘inappropriate for the village’, a bigger fear is that more visitors to East Dene would burden the quaint highways infrastructure.
Residents say there are already issues with the current levels of traffic which is exacerbated in the summer when tourists and those unfamiliar with the area get stuck.
If the plans are approved, one resident said the risk of accidents would rise substantially and generate noise and air pollution.
Another said:
“Bonchurch Village Road is narrow and Bonchurch Shute with the sharp left turn down to East Dene simply couldn’t cope with the constant flow of traffic.
“It would make the life of all local residents unbearable and ruin the quiet beautiful village.”
The junction leading down to East Dene was also called very challenging and would become very dangerous for the amount of pedestrians who access the beach that way.
Residents say driving around the village requires patience, care and caution but the proposals would cause harm to highway and pedestrian safety.
Island Roads, the Isle of Wight Council’s highway authority, has also raised concerns depending on whether or not East Dene was previously used as a hotel, which many residents seem to think it was not.
It was previously a private home, a convent, a educational holiday centre and a wedding venue.
Island Roads said if it is classed as a hotel, there are no sustainable grounds to refuse the application due to precedent.
If it is not a hotel, however, Island Roads has recommended multiple reasons it should be rejected including the significant increase in traffic, inadequate access width and visibility and inadequate pedestrian connectivity on Bonchurch Shute, Bonchurch Village Road and St Boniface Road.
It also says there is insufficient parking provision.
An overflow car park is planned for a field near the old church, accessed down a narrow lane.
You can view the plans, 22/02249/FUL, on the IW Council’s planning register.
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