Planners have given a controversial Freshwater greenfield housing development the thumbs up but it will be up to councillors to make the final decision.
In a report released on Monday ahead of next week’s Isle of Wight Council planning committee, the authority has recommended the major development of 44 dwellings at Birch Close be given permission, subject to 26 conditions.
Residents of the cul-de-sac had objected in droves, fearing the housing would cause a lack of privacy for some neighbouring properties with the overbearing nature and size of properties.
The application was readvertised 3 times, due to changes in the application, and 149 objections were submitted against the plans, some by the same people.
Through changes, developers Tallulah Estates reduced the number of properties from 50 to 44, cutting a block of flats from the plans due to the negative feedback. Other objections said it would increase traffic, parking concerns and safety issues as well as an abundance of wildlife including badgers and slow worms living, foraging or moving through the site.
Freshwater Parish Council has also objected to the development saying it does not meet the local housing needs and the area of Colwell is already over sewer capacity.
None of the Isle of Wight Council’s internal consultees, such as Island Roads, tree or ecology officers, have raised issues with the application, subject to conditions they have suggested.
Having considered the issues raised, planning officers found no problem that could lead to the rejection of planning permission and said the proposed development would not have unacceptable impacts on the amenities of neighbouring properties, ecology, trees, archaeology or result in additional flooding.
In their report, planners said the development would be likely to result in some level of temporary impact on neighbouring properties but with a construction management plan that could be controlled.
They also said the development would appear to be an extension of the already largely residential area.
The development is being called before the council’s planning committee as it is said to ‘raise marginal and difficult policy issues’ and will be decided next Tuesday (16th November).
that will give them time to get the brown envelope from the developer sorted, then they will agree it’s a good idea to have even more houses built.
What is wrong with these planners – are they suffering from mental health issues?
where are the dentists and doctors to cover the shortfall the island is already going through.
where are the additional schools to cover all the extra children.
why is the islands biosphere and climate emergency status being ignored – we are supposed to be creating more greenfields and forests to soak up CO2 and reduce global temperatures. Why are these idiots approving the concreting over of more greenfields, which creates more pollution, more mess, more people, more emissions, more demand on the infrastructure and adds to the worsening state of planet.
“None of the Isle of Wight Council’s internal consultees, such as Island Roads, tree or ecology officers, have raised issues with the application, subject to conditions they have suggested.”
Unfortunately that means it is likely to get approved. Sadly objections from the public are given short shrift nowadays. Like the classic line about objections to a new 475 housing estate not being ‘extraordinary’ enough to say no.
Forgone conclusion then.
We do not have a democracy , as the people are not listened to.