Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely has joined outraged members of the local community in objecting to plans to build 2 new holiday lets on an area of woodland in Bembridge.
Residents in Love Lane and surrounding areas have voiced their concerns about plans to decimate woodland that acts as a natural barrier between housing and the coastal path.
According to documents submitted to the Isle of Wight Council, the proposal is to build 2 woodland lodges with the formation of vehicular access and parking, however, locals fear this will simply be the start and that if planning permission is granted for 2, more will follow.
The 1,460sqm parcel of land in question was purchased for around £13,000 at auction in 2020. The plans are being put forward by Frances Newman of Love Lane IOW Ltd. Newman is also a director of Frances Elliott Properties Ltd in Brighton.
A peaceful protest was held on Monday to make clear to developers that their scheme is simply not wanted, especially after previous attempts to build on the land were rejected in years gone by. The Police were called to the scene by the landowner, although no arrests were made.
Mr Seely has joined the growing opposition to the construction plans saying that they are completely inappropriate and damaging to the area. He’s said:
“Not only is this an unspoiled greenfield site which is of great importance to the local community, it is also woodland that is home to protected wildlife.
Article continues below this advertisement “I find it outrageous that anyone would even think to build on woodland like this. It should be left well alone.”
Concerns have been raised about the increased traffic this development could bring to Love Lane, which is very narrow. Mr Seely says he believes it would destroy the peace and tranquillity enjoyed by many local residents. Island Echo witnessed dozens of people enjoying the local area when visiting the site for photographs on Tuesday lunchtime.
Bob Seely adds:
“For many, this area is a place to take a stroll, unwind and forget about their worries. We need spaces like this, and we must take care of our natural environment and preserve it for future generations to enjoy.”
Although planning permission has not yet been given, the developers have gone ahead and arranged for utility services to be put in – something objectors say is pre-emptive. A footpath is currently closed as a result.
Furthermore, residents have reported sightings of badgers, foxes, bats, dormice, hedgehogs and red squirrels in the woodland which is also home to 100-year-old trees. 6 trees have already been cut down as they were deemed to be a danger.
Mr Seely adds:
“Hedgehogs and dormice are in decline in this country largely due to the removal of woodland and hedgerows. This needs to stop. We need to save their habitats now before it’s too late.
“We need to think much more carefully about the management of our natural landscape and developers need to stop ripping up the countryside to make way for unnecessary and unwanted development such as this.”
Comments on the plans [21/00224/FUL] can be made until Friday 19th March at https://publicaccess.iow.gov.uk/online-applications/search.do?action=simple&searchType=Application. Over 110 objections have been submitted to date.
Bembridge Parish Council’s planning committee has unanimously agreed to strongly object to the application as it goes against 11 policies in the Bembridge Neighbourhood Development plan.
Meanwhile, Mr Silly is happy to approve of hundreds of houses being built on farmland at pennyfeathers and Bullen. Hypocrite
Very very true the builder at Bembridge is not giving Bob the brown envelope
How long ago were the Pennyfeathers/Bullen developments approved? Was he even an MP then? Good on him to object to this latest scheme.
On what basis were the Police called?
Who authorised closing the footpath?
Clearly the “developer” expects to get his permission. Now why would that be?
Mind you, Seldom’s protestations are pretty hollow. No doubt Meadow End residents are reliable blue voters?
Clearly a them and us situation
If you live in Bembrisge seaview or Yarmouth you are viewed as the elite and no one dare decimate your greenfield area
Yet move across to ryde and anywhere is game for building on
Clearly even in the year 2021 we still have the class distinction
SUCH BLATANT INEQUITY
All building on greenfield sites should be banned indefinitely. If we need more tourist accommodation, just refurbish closed hotels.
what deranged idiot thinks it is ok to build on woodland – no wonder there is more C02 in the atmosphere, with great swathes of unintelligent humans cutting down the trees, which are the very things that remove C02 and pump out oxygen – you know, so we can actually breathe.