A planning application to build 24 homes on brownfield land in Binstead, which has sat empty since the demolition of a former factory many years ago, has been submitted to the Isle of Wight Council.
The land off Binstead Road was once a busy factory, first as Osbornes and then later as Hosiden Besson. It closed decades ago and sat empty for a long time, becoming a dangerous playground for local youths. The factory was finally demolished in the late 2000s and was partially developed, with a number of houses being built at what is now known as Kentstone Court in 2009.
Outline plans submitted to the council’s planning department by Indigo Blew Ltd highlight that arsenic, asbestos and lead have all been found at the site, with decontamination costs already causing viability issues for the scheme.
A ground investigation report, carried out to aid the planning application by Eagle Eye Environmental Solutions, found some areas of the site will need to be excavated and appropriately disposed of due to the presence of ‘hotspots’ of arsenic, asbestos and lead. However, they say it is unlikely average exposures across the site ‘will be of significant toxicological concern’ and there are no contamination levels above guidelines but enough that ‘exceedances’ were recorded.
No affordable houses are proposed for the development, nor a financial contribution to the provision elsewhere – despite Isle of Wight Council policy. The developers say that the scheme wouldn’t be viable if further costs such as an affordable housing contribution were required, due to the decontamination costs.
Council policy dictates in a development of this size at least 35% of properties should be affordable, but none are proposed in this scheme. Usually, a financial contribution is sought instead to provide affordable housing elsewhere.
Problems do not end there as Island Roads has already recommended the development be refused on 8 highway issues. They range from inadequate parking and turning areas, inadequate access for fire engines and refuse vehicles as well as inadequate access width and visibility.
To view the plans, 21/02564/OUT, you can visit the Isle of Wight Council’s planning register. Comments will be accepted until 11th February.
and it should be refused on the basis that the schools, doctors, dentists and other services are already full
Couldn’t agree more
How are they fitting 24 houses on there ,its tiny ?
‘decontamination costs could hinder scheme’ Good, the longer the better.
I wish someone would start buying land up and building forests on the island.
The NIMBY lot should pay, they are the ones preventing all new builds on the ground that it’s a green field site. Blocking all development on the island will kill it. Already happening, we can’t get enough ambulance staff because there is nowhere on the island they can live. I guess as long as your house price goes up, sod the rest.
no fred, there isn’t enough ambulances/ambulance staff because there are too many people living here already – we need less people, less houses and less immigration – that will reduce congestion, reduce pollution and ensure that we have a better quality of life.
Also may increase problem of flooding, as recently suffered by residents on Binstead Road.