A group of locals have launched a campaign against plans to build 5 luxury houses, a fish processing factory and a retail facility on the seashore next to Fort Victoria.
Locals of Freshwater say that the development cuts the council-managed beach in 2, preventing the public from walking along the shoreline to and from the historical spot, as well as cutting right across the route for the proposed England Coastal Path (ECP).
Campaigners also point out that the road leading to the fort is mostly without a pavement, and suffers from dangerous blind spots. The increase in traffic from the construction and operation of the factory and luxury homes will certainly endanger the many walkers and cyclists on Westhill Lane.
No parking is being proposed by the developers for employees and customers of the factory and retail space either, an oversight that will create even more traffic problems in the area.
Local resident Fran Atkins says:
“We completely agree that local people need new housing,
“But these luxury homes are not aimed at that need, and they are in the wrong place. After the floods in recent years, it would be madness to deliberately put future residents in harm’s way.”
Coastal flooding represents a serious risk to human life, and planning laws prevent development in high flood risk areas if there is an alternative safer site nearby. The developers proposed evacuation plan in the event of flooding is that the occupiers relocate to the top floor of the houses and await rescue by the emergency services but campaigners insist that it would be better not to build the luxury homes there in the first place.
More information about the campaign to save Fort Victoria’s seashore can be found at www.saveourseashore.org.uk.
Dig deeper folks, y’all know who’s behind that development. All I’m saying.
When Green is the colour dodgy business deals are done. Wink wink
Green machine doesn’t always win!! Dose it!
yes go for it we need more homes on this island. we have all this land on the the south and the west side put new homes there
yes, nice expensive ones by the sea. idiot
One of them has just bought a £1m+ property to Air BnB in Totland. What a hypocrite.
Fish processing factory?