Fears for the stability of cliffs could put a stop to plans to extend a private tunnel under the Cliff Path, in Lake.
The private eight-metre tunnel currently connects 2 Cliff Path with its own viewing platform nestled into the cliff face overlooking Sandown Bay.
When the house on Cliff Path was built in the early 1900s, it was intended the tunnel entrance would link to the property’s basement, said planning agent Phil Salmon in documents to the Isle of Wight Council.
A recessed area was built into the basement, but the tunnel access was never completed.
Now, owner Mr R. Dance wants to complete the link to provide a fully internal passageway to the viewing platform.
While it is an unusual application, Mr Salmon says, it is ‘essentially a domestic extension’.
The tunnel walls would be built with steel-reinforced poured concrete, brick face work and waterproof membranes.
The entrance to the tunnel, which is the property of 2 Cliff Path and not accessible from any public point, currently sits in the garden and is accessed via a ‘dilapidated timber staircase’, say structural engineers Such, Salinger, Peters (SSP).
It has unsupported exposed earth sides which are showing signs of erosion due to exposure, it says, which would be removed to improve cliff stability by avoiding the collection of rainwater at the tunnel entrance.
SSP says the construction of the tunnel extension would not have an adverse effect on the cliff and may improve overall stability.
The extension has split opinions, with one neighbour saying it is a wonderful idea, but another saying the state of the cliff was very fragile — proven by a collapse in 2010 a few metres from the tunnel.
Another resident said as long as they could be reassured the work would not cause further damage to the cliff face, they would be happy.
Lake Parish Council has, however, ‘recommended in the strongest terms’ the application be refused as the proposal would disturb an unstable cliff and there is no reason for it.
Cllr Paul Brading, ward representative, said the cliff had got worse over recent years and any work would severely risk its stability.
He said it puts in danger the businesses and beach huts on the Revetment.
You can view the application, 22/01742/HOU, on the Isle of Wight Council’s planning register. Comments can be submitted until December 2.
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