A controversial house conversion bid in Totland has been granted planning consent, despite warnings it will leave a family ‘homeless’.
Council officers have given Plan Research permission to convert Hurstleigh, a large villa-style property on The Broadway, Totland, in the face of objections from Totland Parish Council (TPC) and three members of the public.
The consultancy’s revised proposal 25/00687/FUL is to convert 2 existing flats into 4x 1-bedroomed units, described as ‘relatively affordable housing for starter homes’.
It also includes a ‘very small extension’ on the property’s rear porch.
Previously, withdrawn plans to convert the building sparked a public outcry after an existing tenant, Enya Dunn-Green, said they would render her ‘homeless along with her extended family’.
Plan Research’s Design and Access Statement for the new proposal says:
“This scheme would create relatively affordable housing for starter homes, or properties for those wishing to downsize.
“There have been several previous permissions for conversions to four flats at this property, as the council has consistently agreed that the property is suitable for conversion.
Article continues below this advertisement “Unlike previous schemes, the current application does not propose on-site parking spaces, as this would require the loss of the front garden area. It also does not propose a large rear extension.
“We have demonstrated within a parking survey that there is sufficient vehicle parking available in the nearby car park and on the roads.”
Objecting to the latest application, Marley Dunn-Green said:
“There is simply no need or want for one bedroom flats in our area. The family that you would be making homeless are hardworking, valued members of our local society.
“One working in our local Totland school, another working in our local NHS Freshwater dentist and another in our local Freshwater Greengrocer. If you make these people homeless, who is the ‘affordable housing’ for?”
TPC aired concerns over vehicle and emergency service access to the site as well as parking provision and affordability.
The council’s decision report says:
“Although this proposal would remove the current three and four bedroom units from the local housing stock, the proposal would result in four new one bedroom flats, which given the Island-wide need for housing, presumption in favour of sustainable development…and current supply of larger dwellings, would be considered an acceptable housing mix.
“This proposal would not cause harm to the character and appearance of the area or the nearby conservation area.
“Third party comments have been received objecting to the potential increased pressure on parking. However, Island Roads commented that as the car parking requirement remains the same, the proposal would not lead to additional demand for on-street parking.”
