Residents of a large Isle of Wight village have hit out at a proposal for 27 homes, with one describing plans as ‘shocking, misplaced and reckless’.
Colwell Bay View Ltd’s outline application for housing on agricultural land next to Spring Hill off Colwell Road has been met with a backlash from Freshwater locals, with 12 objections filed since the proposal was made public earlier this month.
Criticisms of the plans relate to their impact on the environment, character of the local area, surface water drainage, sewage, traffic, wildlife, privacy, residential amenity, highway safety, future development, local infrastructure, farmland and light levels.
Critics also queried whether the proposed homes could genuinely be described as ‘affordable’, as Colwell Bay View’s agent, Plan Research, have stated.
One objector, Colwell Road resident Jack Newnham, said:
“I strongly urge the council to refuse planning permission for this inappropriate and unsustainable development.
“The focus should instead be on assessing available brownfield sites to meet housing needs without compromising protected land.
“The proposal and number of properties considered also far outweighs infrastructure capacity.”
Another Freshwater local, Robin Whittaker, described the application as ‘shocking, misplaced and reckless’ in an objection lodged last Monday.
He said it would be ‘totally out of character’ with ‘no regard’ for the local environment.
David Thurman, who lives in the village’s Orchard Close, had a different take, however.
As the scheme’s only registered supporter so far, he said:
“I am in full support of this application based on the desperate need for not only affordable housing but housing in general.
“We are years behind in meeting the housing needs of our country therefore applications such as this one should be granted permission.
“To create affordable housing for all you need to create a surplus – you can never create a surplus if you never allow housing to be built.”
Mr Thurman added he was unconvinced of concerns relating to the plans’ impact on drainage and geese.
Colwell Bay View’s company director, David Stroud, said this week:
“We have dedicated several years to preparing this planning application, with a strong emphasis on meeting the needs of the local community.
“We have engaged local planning experts, designers, and specialists, investing over £40,000 into the local economy so far.
“Our plans include ample green spaces, with the intention of preserving and enhancing views along Brambles Chine.”
Plan Research said previously:
“There would be a mixture of smaller and larger housing stock available for affordable rent or purchase, depending on the agreement that the council would make with the applicant.
“Our client believes that the majority of the houses on the site, being two or three bedroomed, would match the evidenced housing need for the West Wight.
“There would be no significant overlooking from the proposed houses to existing dwellings.
“Occupiers of the application site would not have to rely on the private car, and so the site is sustainable.”
The consultancy also said the proposal would deliver ‘significant wildlife enhancements’ and ‘public footway improvements’.
County Hall’s public consultation on the application will finish on February 7 and a decision is expected on April 8.
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