Fresh plans have been submitted for a controversial 44-home development at Birch Close in Freshwater, reviving a scheme that has been at the centre of years of planning disputes, legal complications and strong local opposition.
Onyx Development Finance has applied to the Isle of Wight Council for permission to build 44 homes on land to the east of Birch Close, alongside new access roads, parking and landscaping.
The application follows the expiry of planning permission originally granted in 2022 for the same development.
The Birch Close scheme has a lengthy and contentious history, with initial plans attracting 149 letters of objection from residents concerned about overdevelopment, traffic, drainage, the loss of green space, impacts on wildlife and neighbouring privacy.
Although councillors approved a revised 44-home scheme in November 2021, the development later became embroiled in controversy after preparatory works were carried out on the site before several planning conditions had been discharged, as previously reported by Island Echo.
Local councillors claimed the works breached planning conditions, prompting calls for enforcement action. The situation ultimately led the Isle of Wight Council to invalidate the planning permission after concluding that the unauthorised works did not constitute a lawful commencement of development, meaning the consent later expired.
Developers subsequently sought to overcome the issues through revised applications and variations to planning conditions, but the scheme has remained stalled while planning and legal matters were resolved.
The latest submission is, according to planning agents Spruce Town Planning, “for the most part unchanged” from the previously approved scheme, with updates made only where required to reflect changes in planning policy.
Plans include a mix of apartments, chalet bungalows and houses, providing 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom homes. Around 35% of the development would be affordable housing.
In supporting documents, Spruce Town Planning says the proposal would make “an efficient use” of the accessible site, help meet the Isle of Wight’s housing needs – particularly for affordable homes – and deliver biodiversity net gain while contributing to the vitality of Freshwater.
Members of the public have until 28th August to comment on the application.
A decision by the Isle of Wight Council is currently expected by 29th October.
