4 years after plans were submitted for major development of the former Somerton Reservoir in Cowes, they have been recommended for approval.
The plans, which have now been put forward for approval by Isle of Wight Council planning officers, would see a mixture of 146 residential properties built on the brownfield site including:
- 28x 3-bed houses
- 3x 4-storey blocks of flats, with a total of 72x 2-bed apartments
- 1 block of 44 assisted living units — 4x 2-bed and 40x 1-bed — 1 staff unit and 1 guest unit with a gym; swimming pool; restaurant; laundry; kitchen; function spaces and communal sitting areas
- parking would be built into the former reservoir basin
Concerns over the development have been raised by the nearby Cowes Medical Centre, who said they would have insufficient capacity, as well as Friends of Northwood Cemetry, Northwood Parish Council and Cowes Town Council.
One reason the Heartwood Homes scheme has not yet been determined, despite the long timeframe, is an argument over how much affordable housing would be provided.
With abnormal build costs and challenges due to the nature of the site, the development would be unable to provide the council’s required 35% affordable housing contribution nor a satisfactory financial one.
A dispute between the council and the applicants over the final market value of the properties reached an impasse so a compromise has been agreed.
In line with national planning policies, the Isle of Wight Council is prepared to allow only 10% affordable housing on-site as other specialist accommodation is proposed.
Officers agree with planning agents when they say the proposed design would have a strong impact to grab the eye and would represent a ‘dramatic change’ from the current street scene. Officers say the change would not be considered harmful or unacceptable in the wider context of the need to deliver housing and optimise the use of a brownfield site.
The current bungalow at the site on Newport Road, Cowes, would have to be demolished to allow the development to go ahead though, the council said.
The bungalow’s owner, however, objected to the scheme, back in 2018, and said no agreement had then been reached to demolish it.
As a result of the development, minor highways improvements have been recommended to the Somerton Roundabout due to the potential increase in traffic. The roundabout will reach capacity by next year, even without the additional housing, but the mitigation put forward would combat rush-hour traffic.
If permission were to be granted, following the officers’ recommendation, 22 conditions would be imposed.
The final decision will be made by the Isle of Wight Council’s planning committee on 26th April. You can read more about the officers’ decision at www.iow.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s7883/P.00356.18%20-%20Somerton%20Reservoir.pdf.
So, despite the medical centre not being able to cope and other infrastructure unable to cope- these clowns in planning decide to recommend it – priceless – please ensure that all members of the planning committee are named and then made to wait for months to use any services on the island
My wife has been waiting years. Months should be considered quick, sadly.
Well I hope all those who do not like this plan, put their comments into the planning department and tell the councilors the same.
Dramatic change to councillors’ pockets, more like, after they grab the envelopes not the the eye…
More slums of the future in an already deprived area. How about building facilities instead.
No council tax revenues from facilities hence 146 dwellings on a postage stamp!
No doubt they won’t be for islanders, retirement homes and second homes.
Medical centre would not cope, how about the Hospital ? Are they planning to make room for another 2000 patients… with all these new builds planned.. ?? I hope the bungalow owner, holds out for millions.. That place should have been listed.. !! Lots of history there.
If the new builds were affordable housing for islanders only, then these houses would not have a impact on the medical service, as islanders already are Registered with our Hospital.
Unfortunately it’s about money before helping our own islanders .
When was the reservoir built ? I know was great fun fishing there..
Looking at the artist impression…wtf.
It looks like a prison !
Even prisons have more than two trees.
Getto of the very near future.
This council does not listen, there are NOT enough Dentists, Doctors or hospital beds for the current population.
Until that is sorted, NO new houses should be built.
Yet another place I won’t be able to buy and as a single bloke no help either.
More space for mainlanders to buy and then moan there’s nothing to do here!
More pensioners spaces before the people that are actually still trying to work here can buy. Soon no one under 60 will be able to live here let alone be able to afford to buy here.
And come April 26th the council will approve it no matter what !! If they stopped 2nd home buyers more properties would be affordable to Islanders. They did it in the Yorkshire dales why not here?