Fresh proposals to develop greenfield land in Freshwater, with 3 custom-build houses and an orchard, are facing renewed opposition.
GL Developments IOW’s revised plans for land off Queens Road on Pound Green have prompted concerns such as harm to local heritage, nature and landscape character, pressure on local services and inadequate infrastructure.
The applicant’s previous housing proposal for the site was refused permission after the Isle of Wight Council received 130 objections.
Revisions in the latest application include reducing the extent of plot one in the plans and an additional hedgerow running alongside a new footpath.
Self and custom-building housing plays a ‘crucial role’, as part of a wider package of measures in securing greater diversity in the housing market, increasing overall supply and helping to deliver the homes people want, GL Developments has said.
Freshwater resident Naomi Kullander said the Pound Green site operates as an ‘essential green lung’ and public space ‘deeply cherished’ by the community.
The developer’s plan revisions are ‘purely superficial’ and ‘fail’ to address previously raised issues of access safety, site suitability, visual harm and community impact, she claimed.
Ms Kullander also voiced disquiet over the local road and access network lacking the ‘necessary capacity and physical infrastructure’ to absorb additional traffic generated by the proposal.
Another local, David Walter, said there are available brownfield sites in the West Wight area for developments, pointing to the old school site in Weston Road, Totland, and the old builders land off Hurst Hill, Totland.
He said:
“This is a conservation area and as such whatever buildings are planned would have to fit in with local structures and would be expensive to build and so would not help the need for homes for local young people, families.”
Keith Woodhead, who also lives in the village, said the development will ‘permanently damage’ the vista from Farringford to Pound Green and beyond.
He claimed the impact on health and social services is increasing each time a new build is approved, adding that it is ‘difficult’ to see how this can continue on the Island.
GL Developments’ Planning Statement said the proposal is not simply about housing and delivers other ‘equally important parts’ including a Public Open Space.
The document also highlighted the delivery of an orchard and public footpath, the latter providing a ‘valuable safety improvement’ compared to walking in the live Queens Road carriageway.
It said:
“The proposal does not create any significant harm.
“In the most part the landscape and visual effects are at the lowest end of the scale and generate negligible/no effects, but in some instances benefits.
“The location gives genuine travel choice and is in a location which is sustainable and is not dependant on the motor car.”
Members of the public have until 14th August to comment on application 26/00645/FUL which is due a decision on 4th September.
