UPDATED: Opposition against proposed plans to transform the former Brickfields equestrian centre on the outskirts of Ryde into an industrial site has grown, with over 140 comments now lodged with the Isle of Wight Council.
As reported by Island Echo, residents in Binstead are rallying support against a planning application for the transformation of the former Brickfields site, which could see upwards of 100 HGVs a day passing through the village’s quiet and narrow roads, with fears children and the elderly could be put into unnecessary danger.
Island plant hire company Reynolds and Read Ltd, who currently operate from Blackwater, have applied to transform the land off of Newnham Road into a storage and distribution facility, relocating and consolidating their plant and vehicle operations to the site from existing premises at Blackwater, Rookley and Duxmore.
A stream of objections have been lodged with the Council’s planning department, with many saying they are worried about property prices, pedestrian safety, damage to the road and parked vehicles and noise pollution from both the site and passing vehicles. The controversial ASDA planning application for Newport saw less than 190 comments in comparison.
Island Roads have given the plans recommendation for conditional approval, despite acknowledging the road is narrow and stating that none of the three routes leading to Brickfields can be deemed as a preferred route as all three have difficulties. There was no mention in Island Roads’ report that HGVs would use Carter’s Road and Smallbrook Roundabout – a notorious accident blackspot.
Reynolds and Reads have told Island Echo that 100 HGVs a day, as stated in their planning application, is ‘not right’.
UPDATE WEDNESDAY: The Isle of Wight Ramblers Association have today objected to the proposed change of use of the Brickfields site, noting that four footpaths terminate onto Newnham Road.
In their objection, now lodged with the Isle of Wight Council Planning Department, the Ramblers say:
“We feel that the use of this road by a significant number of HGV movements is both contrary to the aspirations of an area
of outstanding beauty and also contrary to the development of sustainable transport.“The change of use from an equestrian centre to a lorry storage facility is not appropriate in the AONB (Area of outstanding natural beauty). The AONB has an aspiration for landscape improvement areas to be enhanced and returned to a country setting. Any development in this area should meet these expectations”.
Anyone wishing to state an objection to the plans have until 3rd October to submit their comment, which can be done at https://www.iwight.com/planning/PlanAppComment3.aspx?appId=28668.
The full planning application details can be viewed here.
