A hybrid planning application has been submitted to the Isle of Wight Council for the development of 15 new homes on the site of the former Weston Community Primary School in Totland, which closed its doors in 2015.
The application, submitted by DPP Planning on behalf of Strategic Green Land Ltd and the Isle of Wight Council, seeks full planning permission for 5 dwellings and outline permission for a further 11 custom-build properties.
Under the full planning element, the proposals include the partial demolition of the former school buildings. One part of the school will be retained, extended and converted into a single residential dwelling. In addition, 4 affordable homes are planned alongside access and landscaping works throughout the site.
The outline application covers the construction of 11 custom-build dwellings with associated landscaping. In total, the scheme would result in a net gain of 11 residential units across a site measuring approximately 0.2 hectares. The proposed mix includes 2, 3 and 4-bedroom homes.
The site, located on Weston Road, was previously the subject of a £400,000 land sale agreed by the Isle of Wight Council in 2024. That decision followed earlier news in 2021 confirming £950,000 of government funding to support the delivery of homes on brownfield land.
Since its closure at the end of 2015, the former school has remained vacant – although it has been used for Counter Terrorism training by the Metropolitan Police. The current proposals aim to make efficient use of the site while respecting its location within the Totland Conservation Area.
A total of 4 homes have been designated as affordable housing. A vacant building credit has been applied, reducing the usual 35% affordable housing requirement to just 16.1%. However, the applicant has confirmed that 4 units will be delivered to meet operational and planning expectations.
Extensive pre-application discussions were held with the Isle of Wight Council, with meetings taking place in November and December 2024 and further engagement in early 2025. Feedback from these meetings led to a series of design revisions, including the re-orientation of dwellings to face Weston Road, retention of mature trees where possible, and adjustments to minimise the visual impact of retaining walls and parking areas.
Totland Parish Council was consulted in July 2025, with members generally supporting the scale of the proposal but raising concerns about parking provision, the loss of informal parking spaces, and the design approach within the conservation area. In response, the applicant explained that parking provision meets current Isle of Wight standards and that design elements had been informed by previous feedback from planning officers.
Public consultation ran between 23rd July and 15th August 2025, with 26 neighbouring properties contacted directly. A total of 5 responses were received, including 1 in support, 2 objections and 2 neutral comments. A virtual meeting was also held with a concerned resident during the consultation period.
The public consultation on the formal planning application will remain open until 13th February 2026, with a decision currently expected by 16th April 2026.
The applicant goes to great pains to explain how they sought public consultation but as soon as there is a hint of an issue, out comes the standard response –
“the applicant explained that parking provision meets current Isle of Wight standards and that design elements had been informed by previous feedback from planning officers.”
Enough empty available properties on rightmove.
Isnt the old sports field leased to the parish council?
so now they want to concrete over a green field (again) so the football club for the kids will have to move,and residents of weston road will have trouble parking,its bad enough there as it is,considering most families have two cars now,thats 22 extra cars,with only 11 spaces built,another greedy shoebox developer!