A former dairy and beef farm on the edge of Cowes — that has been in the same family for three generations — could become a major housing and employment development.
Plans have been in the making for Somerton Farm, on Newport Road, since 2017 with reports and pre-application advice prepared but now an application has been submitted to the Isle of Wight Council.
Owners of Somerton Farm, Mr and Mrs Biles are seeking outline permission for a mixed development on the site south of the Somerton Industrial Park which could see up to 163 apartments, detached and semi-detached houses and 43 commercial starter spaces and offices.
Final details of the greenfield development are not up for approval during this application, as only two new roads connecting to Newport Road are being applied for.
An outline application seeks to establish whether the principle of a proposed development would be acceptable to the council before detailed proposals are submitted.
The final unit numbers and mix, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of the site would be approved through another application.
Andrew White Planning Consultancy, on behalf of the owners, said the site on the fringe of Cowes is surrounded by other uses, which means it has become isolated from other farmland with an increasingly residential and commercial environment.
Sam Biles, applicant, highlighted the need for housing on the site was strengthened by the current lack of supply and delivery across the Island.
He said it was hoped the site, with its mix of properties, would help address the current housing crisis with over 2,000 Islanders urgently needing homes.
Mr Biles said it is not thought the homes proposed would appeal to second homeowners.
In line with the council’s housing policy, 35 per cent of the homes would be affordable, with 25 per cent of those qualifying as ‘first homes’.
It is thought of the 163 properties, 106 would be market houses and 57 affordable.
The employment units, Mr Biles said, are intended to provide smart, modern and flexible starter units to satisfy demand in the regeneration area.
The employment units would be accessed from a new spine road from Newport Road.
You can view the plans, 22/01720/OUT, on the council’s planning register. Comments can be submitted until November 4.
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