Plans for a cider barn tourist attraction on land at the former Arreton Garden and Aquatic Centre at Hale Common have been scrapped, with permission now being sought for 20x ‘live and work’ units.
It was back in 2017 that permission was granted for the demolition of disused glass houses and for the construction of a new tourist attraction, based on Godshill Cider and Chocolate Island. However, the plans have now been scrapped in light of the devastating impact of the COVID pandemic on the hospitality industry.
Planning documents reveal that the implementation of the new Branstone Farm development, which includes Goddards Brewery visitor centre, has also been a factor in the decision. The applicants feel there is not sufficient confidence in the economy to support 2 similar attractions in such close proximity to one another.
Now, 5 years after permission was granted for the cider barn, a planning application for the development of 20 homes and businesses next to The Fighting Cocks pub has been submitted to the Isle of Wight Council.
Under the plans, 2 terraced rows of 10 units will be built with the ground floor providing industrial/business space, with 1st floor living accommodation above – a total space of 1,292 sqft per unit. Each flat will consist of an open kitchen/diner/living room, with 2 bedrooms and a bathroom. Each unit will also have forecourt car parking and garden space to the rear.
The unnamed applicant, who is represented by Samual Rees of SJT Construction, says that the combined residential/business units will be affordable, priced at around £125,000. He believes that there is a potential gap in the market for a concept that has been very popular elsewhere in the country.
It’s said that the proposal will provide an opportunity for a fresh approach to the live/work ethos at a time when many people have been forced to work from home and now embrace the concept.
Solar panels and a rainwater harvesting system will ensure renewables are core elements of the scheme.
Planning permission was granted in 2020 for a new glasshouse and ancillary energy centre on land next door. It’s thought that work has now begun with footings marked out.
A consultation on the live/work scheme is due to end on 23rd September, with a decision due by the end of November.
Now this is interesting, would be ideal for my business. Sell my house to someone who would need one. But then the NIMBY lot will block it because they could never have someone on the island building a business and employing people..
This IS affordable. Let’s wait and see if the Council go for it.
The clause should be, IOW residents only who will live and occupy these units for the full 12 months.
it will go to the not so British from the tomato factory. No islanders or British
Not at all, they have over 120 full time fixed mobile homes on the tomato site so they will not be interested in buying these! Brilliant project with Island small business in mind. Dont knock it!!
Good idea, good location.
Only negative is if they allow some form of social housing on the site.
It would only take one or two units, for it to be turned into a getto.
Also there are a lot of “hedge hoppers” in that area.
But good luck, you may need it.
I like how they make it sound so wonderful… when in reality, someone will buy say one unit, rent out the flat @ £800. month and also let the retail area out at probably similar rent… more peeps from mainland moving in…
Sad but could be an issue. They need to put in the covenant, if they can, no lettings and island based business only.
What exactly are these 20 Business/industrial units going to be for? Is the insinuation that people will live above them and then somehow run some sort of undefined business from the space below ? Or will all those people who work from home decide they need to pay for an additional business space which is suspiciously the same size as a 2 bedroom flat to put their laptop, notepad and desk in? Or will these flats/business spaces be easily converted into just a terrace house once the business/industry fails to materialize? I suppose it’s a novel way to get permission for another mini housing estate
I think this would be a great idea My business is small but specialised niche market operating 9 months of the year still going strong 12 years on To be able to live above it would be perfect I have lived on the Island for 20 years plus I seriously hope the council do something right for the local iow community for once Would these be for sale or be at a reasonable rent or combination ?
Just another scammers idea to shoe horn more houses into our countryside. Why do we have industrial zones? For businesses to work from, what’s to stop anyone purchasing these homes and never work from them?
Expect should this plan be approved, a change of use request will swiftly follow on.