A newly revived 44-home development plan on an open green space in Freshwater has encountered opposition from Island Roads just a week after plans were resubmitted.
As previously reported by Island Echo, Onyx Development Finance applied to the Isle of Wight Council for permission to build 44 homes on land to the east of Birch Close in Freshwater alongside new access roads, parking and landscaping.
The application followed the expiry of planning permission originally granted in 2022 for the same development.
The Birch Close scheme has a lengthy and contentious history, with initial plans attracting 149 letters of objection from residents concerned about overdevelopment, traffic, drainage, the loss of green space, impacts on wildlife and neighbouring privacy.
Most recently, highways service provider, Island Roads, has objected to Onyx Development Finance’s proposed scheme, which includes access roads, parking and landscaping.
Island Roads’ criticism is based on policy DM2 of the local plan – Design Quality for New Development – which says the council will support proposals for high quality and inclusive design to ‘protect, conserve and enhance’ the existing environment while allowing change to take place.
The company said submitted plans have implications affecting the useability of the proposed car parking spaces due to their ‘limited width and length’ which would displace parking demand onto the highway.
Its report to planners also objected to the application’s surface water drainage proposals and said a flood risk has been identified.
Island Roads said:
“It is recommended that all proposed parking spaces are increased in size to a minimum of 2.6 metres wide by five metres long.
“In addition, the proposed parking area for plots 39 to 44 is unable to accommodate a car accessing and egressing the parking space closest to the proposed building.”
A Planning Statement from the developer’s agent, Spruce Town Planning, said the application site is in Flood Zone One and is not at risk of flooding from surface water.
“The proposal includes 80 car spaces, which exceeds the adopted standards and includes some visitor spaces.
“The proposal continues the existing road and footway of Birch Close, creating a loop through the site and a pedestrian link to Solent Gardens, therefore providing safe access for private and service vehicles, as well as pedestrians.”
County Hall’s public consultation ends on 28th August with a decision due on 29th October.
