Plans Afoot For Godshill's Former Chocolate Island Site To Reopen As New Retail Business

A former popular Isle of Wight chocolate shop building could once again be used for retail purposes.

Lesley Hall’s listed building consent and planning permission applications seek to retain the grade II listed Godshill cottage dating from 17th century for retail uses and convert its rear outbuildings into an owner’s residence.

These latest bids follow an approved application earlier this year to turn the site into both residential and holiday accommodation.

A Planning and Heritage Statement prepared on behalf of the applicant by Island architects, Macaire Associates, said:

“Godshill as a village has an historic past, having evolved over many years, it is and has and remains a major tourist destination on the Island.

“Originally the village was wholly residential, and over the years the houses have changed their uses, to what we see today, but there remains a mix of both commercial and domestic.

“The area is characterised by heritage buildings, particularly stone built properties, many with thatch roofs.

“Because the village has evolved considerably over the years, there has also been a great deal of development, specifically tourist related, so many of the properties have been altered and extended, change over the years has therefore been common.

“The proposals for this application do not change the buildings themselves in terms of their setting, or indeed their external appearance to any significance, the principles relate to change of use.

“The principles of alternate uses are not uncommon for this site, or indeed many of the buildings in the village, as such the proposals are not out of context.”

Historic England’s Official List Entry for the cottage said the building has a datestone labelled 1682.

Changes were later made in the early 19th century and 20th century.

The council will make statutory decisions on Ms Hall’s applications on January 13.

A public consultation on the proposals will finish on December 20.