The controversial Pennyfeathers development on the outskirts of Ryde, which could see some 904 homes and a new primary school built, as well as major road restructuring, has been recommended for approval by Isle of Wight Council planning officers.
The decision as to whether or not to approve the plans will go in front of the planning committee on Tuesday 8th September, but planning officers have given the scheme a much-needed boost by recommending that the plans are approved.
The scheme, which has been met by both support and opposition in the past, would see the building of a brand new primary school for up to 450 children, a new car garage, commercial units, a community centre, a sports building, structural landscaping, play areas and more than 900 homes.
A planning application was resubmitted back in January having been refused by the Isle of Wight Council back in November 2013, but with some notable changes to the overall plan. More green space has been allocated – 16.4ha to 24.5ha – and changes to traffic links on Smallbrook Lane have been proposed with a roundabout allowing access to land off Great Preston Road should any industrial developments take place in the future. More hedgerows will be retained under the revised plans also.
Although Council officers have recommended Pennyfeather’s approval, a variety of conditions have been suggested including the requirement to provide a contribution of over £2million to the Isle of Wight Council’s education budget and some £140,000 to aid improvements at nearby Smallbrook Stadium, as well as the submitting of an ecological management plan.
Ryde Town Council recommended refusal of the plans earlier this year.
The project has been met with negativity, but Southern Vectis say there is scope for their Route 2 buses to divert into the village without impeding too much on the existing timetable and Ryde Saints Football Club say the proposal would provide an increase in grass football facilities for Ryde.
Should the application be approved, between 2015 and 2019 the area would see;
• Up to 382 properties built
• The widening of Brading Road to create ‘Brading Boulevard’
• A new roundabout installed at Cothey Way (main access to the site)
• The building of a new Westridge Garage with demolition of the current building
• Improvements to Westridge Cross
• The creation of ‘The Avenue’ (the main road into Pennyfeathers)
• A new railway bridge built at Smallbrook (or widened)
• A link road built between ‘New Smallbrook Lane’ and Great Preston Road
• The creation of a cycleway and footpath through to Harding Shute
Within a further four years, up until 2023, another 296 properties would be built with more footpaths put in place and the creation of commercial buildings. By 2027 – just 12 years away – there would be a further 226 properties built with more commercial buildings.
The full report can be found here.
