NEW DETAILS OF ECO-FRIENDLY RETREAT REVEALED ALONGSIDE SCALE MODEL

Those behind plans for a new eco-friendly retreat on the outskirts of Yarmouth are hoping that planning permission will be granted later this year when the application goes to the Isle of Wight Council’s Planning Committee. Grand plans for ‘The Woodlands’ were first unveiled in May 2021 and a planning application was submitted in the following year. It was initially planned that the retreat would have been opened by now, but County Hall is still yet to make a decision after changes were made to the proposals, as reported by Island Echo earlier this year. It is hoped that 31 accommodation units will be built on land at Lee Copse, next to Lucketts Farm, including a number of luxury treehouses. This will include a fully accessible treehouse and 2 treehouses joined together to create a massive 16-bedroom lodge. At the Isle of Wight Chamber Expo earlier this week a large-scale model of the proposed development was revealed, with further details forthcoming including plans for a free bus travel deal with Southern Vectis and electric car hire from Yarmouth Harbour. It has also been revealed that Liz Earle is considering operating the proposed on-site spa and wellbeing facilities. A date for the Planning Committee to consider the plans is yet to be set, but Alan Short and Simon Hirst of Acorn Properties IOW are expecting a date to be announced soon, with permission granted this year.