‘Severe concerns’ over water infrastructure have been raised in response to plans that could see dozens of extra affordable homes included in a huge Isle of Wight housing development.
Nettlestone and Seaview Parish Council (NSPC) is strongly urging a refusal of Westridge Village’s revised application to alter conditions attached to a 2025 planning consent for the 473-home West Acre Park estate.
Captiva Homes, which previously hailed the start of construction at the site, has said the latest proposal’s purpose is to facilitate a revised affordable housing delivery strategy.
Earlier this summer, the developer said that subject to necessary approvals and agreements being completed, the development would deliver 207 affordable homes in total, up from the approved 166 units.
However, NSPC sent planners 4 grounds of opposition including overbearing impact and overlooking, ‘inadequate’ water and drainage infrastructure as well as highways and access concerns.
A spokesperson said:
“Severe concerns remain regarding Southern Water’s capacity to handle wastewater and surface water. They have indicated themselves that they cannot accommodate more than 82 properties.
“No evidence guarantees the existing network can support this load without causing off-site flooding or environmental damage.”
Article continues below this advertisement
The parish council also said proposed changes ‘fail’ to resolve ‘unresolved issues’ regarding vehicle movements, junction capacity, site access visibility, and pedestrian safety on surrounding lanes.
A spokesperson for Captiva Homes previously said:
“We are particularly pleased that these proposals would create a range of affordable housing options for local people, recognising that there is no single solution to the Island’s housing challenges.
“The mix of social rent, shared ownership and discount market sale homes would provide different routes into housing for people at different stages of life and with different financial circumstances.
“If approved, West Acre Park would deliver 207 affordable homes without increasing the overall size of the development, making it one of the most significant contributions to affordable housing provision on the Isle of Wight in recent years.”
