Freshwater Residential Unit Development To Be Decided Today

A heavily criticised application for a 127-residential unit development in the west of the Isle of Wight will be decided by the planning committee at County Hall today (Tuesday).

Tallulah Estates Ltd’s revised proposal for housing next to Camp Road in Freshwater has been recommended for refusal by a council report prepared by planning officer Russell Chick.

Thirty-five per cent of the housing units would be affordable, according to submitted plans.

The development would also include a new access for vehicles and pedestrians.

Two of the issues raised are concerns over surface water drainage and a lack of information about protected species of bats on the site.

Explaining its grounds for a refusal, the council report said:

‘"The information submitted in relation to surface water drainage for this development is considered to be inadequate and deficient in detail in relation to impacts on the Solent and Southampton Water Special Protection Area/Ramsar site.

"The Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservation and the Freshwater Marshes and Yarmouth Estuary Sites of Special Scientific Interest that are functionally linked to them.

"Therefore, applying the required precautionary principle, it is considered that the submitted information does not meet the requirements of the habitats regulations so that the planning authority is not able to rule out that the proposal would have an adverse effect on the integrity of the European sites and functionally linked designated sites.

"The information accompanying this application is inadequate and deficient in detail in respect of surveys of protected species of bat so that the local planning authority is unable to consider fully the effects of the proposal on protected species."

An original 2021 Supporting Statement prepared by the Andrew White Planning Consultancy on behalf of Tallulah Estates said:

"The new homes are designed to a high quality and there will be a range of types and sizes.

"Development of residential units will introduce new residents to the
area and expand the local community.

"The range of dwelling sizes will meet the needs of different occupiers and will assist in creating a strong and balanced community, including providing new homes for first time buyers and affordable homes.

"The development would contribute to economic growth both during construction and over the life of the development.

"The redevelopment of the site has been designed to sensitively protect and enhance the natural environment.

"A number of mitigation measures will deliver ecological and environmental benefits at the site and to the surrounding area."