I am one of five residents of the quiet close known as Birch Close, Freshwater. An amended planning application has been put forward for a development, leading from and to our close, for 44 properties to be built on the field at the end of our properties.
We, and several other interested parties, have objected totally to this development being allowed to go ahead. This even included the majority of the Councillors of the Parish council.
If this is allowed to go ahead it will destroy the whole concept of living in a quiet, secluded environment. It is proposed that traffic from the new properties will use Birch Close for both entry and exit and a priority system will be put in place. This could result in queues of vehicles trying to access or exit from the new properties, whilst blocking established residents from leaving their driveways.
All this will need a huge amount of infrastructure to be put in place, drainage which is already a problem in the Close due to a high water table draining from the field, the removal of some of the grass verges to allow for a pavement to be put in place, it is also mentioned that double yellow lines will be laid down on the south side of the Close, it is said to avoid traffic congestion!
This will be disastrous should it be allowed to go ahead, to say nothing of the disruption it will cause by construction of the development, with large lorries and contractors in and out of the Close for the period ( possibly up to two years) it will take to build.
A far better option would be to preserve the field with the planting of trees and shrubs for the benefit and use of local people to enjoy a peaceful, green and environmentally friendly place to have the use of.
Mrs L Leonard, Birch Close.
I totally agree with Mrs Leonard. That area has been overdeveloped on the opposite side of Colwell Road with a small estate of 20 houses, the huge building Green Meadows and also a couple of other properties. How are the schools, Dr’s , dentists and other facilities supposed to cope with this huge influx of people. It’s a greenfield site use the brownfield sites to build if these are going to house the locals.
Perhaps we could demolish all of Birch Close and plant birch trees for the local residents to enjoy, reduce traffic and fix drainage issues all at the same time.
Axe to grind, Mr “Rentrapped” ……
The West Wight is being concreted over at an alarming rate, everywhere you look there are big new developments sprouting up and I am sure there are more in the pipeline. Sadly none of it will stop when Westminster continue to deliberately maintain the uncontrolled levels of mass immigration that have added around 10 million to Britains population in the last 24 years, indeed those parties who are locally very vocal about stopping building here are the same ones calling for increased immigration at Westminster level – we never voted for it, we don’t want it but until something radically changes at the top, it continues unabated
Oh dear, you’re one of those. The article gives more than enough reason to oppose the development, without your pursuing your hobby horse.
Ouch. On the plus side when these people come to sell up to escape the new development, somebody’s going to get a bargain price for their houses now
Seemingly a lot of land owners are now cashing in on the relaxation in planning.
This island does not need more houses to encourage more people to move here from the mainland, the existing infrastructure cannot cope with it for a start – the council should look at the absolute need for housing for those already living here and then take a firm stance with Westminster , quite simply it’s the word NO – listen up MP, we aren’t all wrong and it is us that you supposedly represent????
I feel for these people who bought property in a quiet location many years ago to in someways end their days in peace .
i live in a town and not the countryside and would love to live with fields and nice views around me ,, but hey I don’t
This island will be a big city soon ,over crowded and full of chaos
Unfortunately it will happen because Westminster have put more control and rights in the developers hands and making it harder for councils to refuse applications. those living in other villages across the island have been very vocal using everything to stop the over development and opposing massive urban sprawl have been unsuccessful, it seems boris and his chumps have virtually given developers the right to dump houses where they want. Here on this small island it does not work, there is not the road infrastructure nor the health services for the increased population. Very sad the islands identity is vanishing.
Planning don’t give a toss about anyone’s quality of life.
You will likely waste your breath if you try to object.
They do not listen do not care and have ruined this Island .
My sympathies are with the people of Birch Close. Sadly we live in a world where too many people think that why should some people be ‘privileged’ to be able to live in a nice area whilst others don’t? The do gooder mindset that sees people who make wiser choices in life as somehow responsible for those who don’t. I hope sincerely that this building work won’t go ahead, It is nice to think that there is still somewhere at least where people can live where there is comparative peace and quiet and not full of noise and unpleasant people and the stress they cause. It is government too who is making all this worse. Must stop.
I have said several times before, it’s all about the money never mind the infrastructure peoples health and the wildlife, CO2 climate change etc Doctors Dentists Social Care and our1 solitary Hospital, the jobs that aren’t here etc etc ….
The island will be the Concrete jungle as I have previously said ….
The IOW council need to be proactive in turning empty shops into flats and apartments before building more properties for people moving to the island. I have been waiting 2 years for a dental checkup. To see a GP is almost impossible. Hospital appointments keep being rearranged. We do not need more people on the island.
Unfortunately, Mrs L, no-one is immune from the predations of developers, aided and abetted by Bozo and chums (and our bold MP won’t dare rock the boat).
I wonder how many people are regretting voting Tory last time?
I’ll never vote Tory again .
I hold my hand up! Something Boris said has certainly changed my mind on that though. His “build build build” quote. Certainty shan’t be voting for them again not unless they drastically change. Trouble is, what’s the viable alternative? Greens seem more concerned with getting more social housing built than actually trying to preserve our countryside and green spaces.
the council and the so called mp dont give a flying hook they are all a waste of time
The island is very slowly being ruined. These housing developments seem to be popping up everywhere. Hopefully this one will not be allowed to go ahead.
So its ok to build more houses in east wight but not in west wight
Yep.
Nobody is talking about specifically west Wight … it is the island in general – no more houses
How very sad for you all living there . It would be a complete nightmare if permitted to go ahead . It’s so ridiculous the island will become a concrete jungle with the amount of building going on . Why on earth do we need all these houses .
Welcome to our world in Ryde! Just be grateful it is not 400 and 900 like we are facing
The planning committee
should now stop all planning permision approved untill mains water has been updated this means new mains water pipe, that includes all and any new blue water mains on this island, its main sewer has to be looked at and updated in line with any new planning laws ,our hospital ,Schools ,doctor surgery , road construction,this includes the gas mains updated ,all new ducting to be placed in the footpathe for the new electricity and telephone cableing , .all houses now constructed, to have off road parking .only planning permision be granted when the islands inferstruture has been updated ,no more planning approved,
I’m from London and I visit my girlfriend alot….. iow council need to fix some roads before they let people build in this beautiful place
It’s probably all the heavyweight vehicles buidling all the houses that are pot-holing our roads!
One ought not stand in the way of progress for selfish reasons. We’re a community whether you like it or not.
A bit like how people who want peace and quiet are selfish, but those who wish to inflict noise and smells on them are not. Anyone who doesn’t want to have to listen to raucous banging and thumping and the smell of cannabis coming into their home is being selfish, whereas those who want to stay up all night every night and make a lot of noise and non stop smoke dope are not at all selfish. Like anyone being made a nervous wreck from having to try and cope with certain types moving in all around them are merely being selfish whereas the “let’s all make lots of noise” types are not being at all selfish.