CONTENTIOUS WEST WIGHT PLANNING PROPOSALS TO BE DISCUSSED NEXT WEEK

Some of the Isle of Wight’s most contentious planning proposals will be discussed at a Freshwater Parish Council meeting next Tuesday. The parish council’s planning committee will meet at 18:45 in the large hall at the Memorial Hall on Avenue Road, with the Heathfield Farm Camp Site, Camp Road and Birch Close development plans tabled for discussion. Parish council clerk Heather Rowell has listed apologies, councillor interests, public discussion on planning applications, agreement on the minutes of the August 20 meeting, updates on the last meeting and Isle of Wight Council planning decisions as items to be discussed next week. The first application on the agenda is the Heathfield Farm Camp Site proposal – an application for a mixed-use development comprising 69 housing units, retail floorspace as well as associated road infrastructure and parking provisions. Second on the list is the Afton Stables development, an application for a change of use and alterations to a stable building to provide additional accommodation including external cladding and new rooflights as well as a new porch. Next listed is the Birch Close application – a proposal to vary a condition from a prior application. The varied condition would allow development to begin with a Traffic Regulation Order in place before housing is occupied rather than before the start of proposed works. Also included is an updated Camp Road development which outlines 127 housing units and access roads with a proposed junction onto Camp Road. The re-advertised application includes a revised description with revised plans showing the removal of pedestrian access to Victoria Road, biodiversity mitigation and drainage, impacts on designated sites and highway information. Finally featured are the Collard Close and Clifton Buildings applications. The former proposes a double garage, vehicle access and a driveway area. The latter is for a prior approval for change of use of offices at first floor level to form one flat. Lastly, the meeting will discuss whether any comments are to be made against the Gate House application, a proposal for a Lawful Development Certificate for the ongoing use of The Hut as a housing unit. The role of the parish council is to represent local views,  but can only comment in the same way as any other member of the public. Its comments must be agreed during a properly called public council meeting. Members of the public attending the meeting can comment, speak in support of or object to any application during the ‘Open Forum’ segment of the meeting, but not during the council’s deliberations later. Comments agreed in the council meeting are submitted in writing to the Isle of Wight Council, as the relevant planning authority.