The parish council which was looking to buy Chale Green Stores has objected to plans to turn it into homes.
Planning permission has been submitted to the Isle of Wight Council by Vern Tyerman, owner of the stores, to convert the shop and cafe, demolishing a part of the building to create 2 separate homes with a third built next to it.
The shop closed suddenly at the end of 2019 when no new tenants could be found.
The 3 properties proposed are a 2-bed bungalow and a 3 and 4-bed house.
Before the plans were submitted, however, Mr Tyerman had been trying to market the shop for sale or rent.
In a recently submitted planning statement, agents BCM said the applicant had always supported the village but the proposal was a consequence of many years of trying to find a solution.
BCM also said when Mr Tyerman and his late wife, first bought Chale Stores it was being sold for development, into 3 dwellings, or as a going concern.
Chale Parish Council (CPC) had been one interested party but unfortunately, talks broke down.
According to BCM, CPC had to turn down the multiple offers ‘due to money troubles’, not having significant reserves or a guaranteed income.
CPC, however, said it had secured a loan which would have more than covered the asking price but the purchase fell through due to the vendor increasing the price ‘beyond what was agreed’.
At a planning meeting last night (Thursday), Chale parish councillors unanimously voted to object and has urged the Isle of Wight Council’s planning department to refuse the application to prevent unlawful use of public common land for private use.
In its objection, CPC said it has applied to the Isle of Wight Council to make the premises an ‘asset of community value’, with a decision currently pending.
It says the development goes against the core strategy as it does not meet an identified local need.
CPC argues the proposed plans for front gardens and parking encroach on common land which goes against the ‘Regulations of Commons’ for Chale Green.
It also says while it allowed access across the common land for residents and visitors to use the shop and post office, it is not acceptable that the common land has now been assumed to fall within the boundary of ownership of Chale Green Stores and it will always remain common land.
To view the proposals, or comment on the application (20/02248/FUL) until 5th February, you can visit the council’s planning portal.
Well now, I wonder who will win this one – the community or the capitalists (for whom BCM are so effective an agent)?
I would assume that because common land is involved, this council will give planning permission, but if they do, then no land is safe from builders and developers.
used to be full of nice country people. Not now. I expects more stole than bought
Most ‘common land’ is actually owned by someone, and certain people have certain rights over it. It’s best to find out the facts first before jumping up and down about what might happen.
This will be interesting. Councillor Dave Stewart may have to step up and ‘man up’ for his ward rather than sit at the head of the council and let developers ride roughshod over the will of the people and against the wishes of the locals who know the area best and have a better idea of what the village needs. Surely an increase in housing stock by any amount would warrant the necessity of a shop and services but commonsense will prevail or fail depending on who makes the final call.
C’mon Dave. Get off the fence!
Why would anybody want to live in Chale anyway. It is a really unattractive village.