A scheme to build 4 ‘low-cost’ homes on land currently used as a garden has drawn criticism from an Isle of Wight civic society and local councillors.
Penny Downer’s application to build 2 pairs of semi-detached chalet bungalows on land to the rear of 109 – 113 Old Road in East Cowes has attracted at least 19 objections.
As previously reported by Island Echo, a quadruple of ‘low-cost’ homes could be built on land currently used as a garden in the coastal town of East Cowes, with each unit having a living, kitchen and dining room with a bathroom and bedrooms above, according to her agent Paul Stack.
However, concerns now include overdevelopment, highway safety, the proposed housing being out of character, poor design quality, a risk of overlooking, and an infestation of Japanese Knotweed.
Ms Downer’s agent, Paul Stack, previously said the benefits in providing low-cost housing within an underused urban plot of land clearly outweigh any possible identified harm.
Sarah Burdett, chair of the Isle of Wight Society, commented:
“The intensive density of the proposed four dwellings will adversely affect the existing dwellings and their character, including the royal buildings 109 and 111 Old Road, part of Queen Victoria’s estate.”
In another objection on behalf of East Cowes Town Council, planning consultant Martha James said the scheme would result in a ‘cramped’ layout that impacts negatively on future residents of the site, surrounding occupiers and the street scene.
Paul Stack’s Planning Statement said the scheme does not adversely affect the character or appearance of the area given the current scale of surrounding development.
It said:
“The proposal takes the opportunity to provide for additional 2- and 3-bed dwellings, helping in some small way in meeting the Island’s housing needs within an underutilised windfall site.”
County Hall’s public consultation on application 26/01099/FUL finished on 21st September, with a decision expected on 13th October.
