A proposal to demolish a long-standing Isle of Wight gym and replace it with eight new homes has been waved through, with planners accepting the application for demolition on the Portland Street site.
The proposed redevelopment by Mr and Mrs Steve Milton includes outline plans for a pair of semi-detached two-bedroom homes, six two-bedroom terraced units, a new access to Portland Street, Newport and on-site car parking.
There are also proposals for refuse bin storage and cycle storage.
A previously submitted planning statement said demolishing the large, ‘dilapidated’ and ‘deteriorating’ gym building would improve the outlook for neighbouring properties, and that any overlooking from the new homes would be typical of a compact urban street.
The gym closed for good at the end of April 2022, after operating for 37 years, due to the building being deemed no longer fit for purpose.
Council officers concluded the development would ‘complement’ and ‘positively add’ to existing housing and the street scene, enhancing the character of the surrounding area.
A decision report said:
“The proposal would not have any adverse impacts on the outlook from, or light to, housing opposite the site in Portland Street, or on the privacy of occupiers of these properties, particularly given the tight-knit and more compact character of this residential street.”
County Hall received two objections from locals with concerns including how eight houses would fit onto the land, traffic generation and loss of existing on-street parking and disruption during demolition and construction.
Resident Katie Davis told the council the development would ‘bring more cars’ to an already ‘impassable’ road when vehicles approach from both directions.
She warned that creating the new access could remove at least one – ‘maybe even two’ – existing on-street parking spaces and also questioned whether eight homes and on-street parking would realistically fit on the site, suggesting the houses would be ‘minuscule in size with little to no garden’.
A total of 15 conditions were attached to the consent, for reasons such as legal and planning policy compliance, suitable drainage, environmental protection, highway safety, health, local amenity and adequate parking.
Good to see building on brown field sites instead of ruining the countryside!
Makes a change, look at what the numpties are doing
at Appley.
Instead they could be building on the old holiday
centre in Puckpool.
Once a Numpty always a Numpty is their problem!
Disgraceful. That couple will, hopefully be going to hell. Greed, pure and simple. Our Council should not facilitate greed like this. How on earth do you fit 8 homes on this miniscule scrap of land?!!
The lady objecting is correct. Who exactly do ‘our’ Council work for?
The brown envelope brigade.