After 2 years, the future of affordable houses in Calbourne may well be decided next week.
Plans submitted by Vectis Housing, an Isle of Wight housing association, in October 2020, propose the construction of 12 houses — 11 affordable — on Elm Lane. The development could compromise 4x 2-bed, 6x 3-bed and 1x 4-bed affordable houses.
Documents supporting the application say the 12th house, a 3-bed property, would go to the landowner as part of an agreement.
Calbourne, Newtown and Porchfield Parish Council objected to the plans saying the lack of housing supply on the Island was not a green light for unsustainable development and that what was proposed was poor quality, bland and an urbanising design. Another 37 objections were also submitted.
After revisions and discussions, Isle of Wight Council officers are recommending the application be refused but the final decision will be made by the authority’s planning committee on Tuesday (25th October).
1 positive factor of the scheme, officers say, is that the housing would make a small but positive contribution towards meeting local affordable housing needs. They say that 1 factor, however, fails to outweigh the adverse impacts the development would have on highway safety and the area’s character.
As highways authority, Island Roads has recommended refusal due to inadequate access visibility; the increased use of the Elm Lane onto Sun Hill junction, which is substandard in terms of junction visibility, and inadequate pedestrian connectivity.
While the proposed building would continue the ribbon of development along Elm Lane and be viewed in relation to the existing housing from afar, there is no information about the proposed external building materials.
Officers say plans indicate a mix of red and yellow brick but that would not reflect materials locally used and the quality of the design finish would fail to complement and enhance the character and context of the site.
The application also fails to demonstrate nitrate neutrality, officers say, as there is insufficient information and it cannot be ruled out the water quality in the Solent Catchment Area would not be affected.
Without that information, the council is unable to lawfully grant planning permission for the development.
F.F.S
Stop Building
Don’t want affordable houses as they will obviously be inhabited by certain types… If the houses by the fighting cocks are anything to go by this will be equally as a terrible, why do this Vectis housing always choose the most out of the way locations?? Regardless its not like any will go to islanders anyways. About time the housing targets are scrapped, don’t want any more overpopulation of the island.
They used to keep all the low life in one area in each town.
Then fools naively assuming that if children were dragged up in rough areas then that would ensure they grew up bad
So they spread them out hoping the better people would have a positive effect on them.
They didn’t and the low life just ruin areas that they ought not be living in
Affordable housing is wrong. If YOU can’t afford the full ask then YOU don’t belong
Affordable housing, with the rise in interest rates, cost of living, there are very few who need homes that could afford these. Not to mention mortgage rates. Another excuse to waste time on something that isn’t feasible at present in the financial climate. Get real IoW Council and spend time on things you can sort.