Plans have been submitted to build 5 new homes on land adjacent to the former St Helens railway station, which was recently listed for sale for the first time in 70 years.
The development is proposed for land north of Station House on Station Road, St Helens – the original station master’s residence and a landmark of the village’s railway history. The property and surrounding grounds were placed on the market earlier this year with 3 separate plots now available.
Submitted by the Stratton family, the application seeks full permission to build a small residential scheme comprising 3 detached and 2 semi-detached dwellings, with associated garages, parking, a new access road and landscaping. The designs reflect a New England architectural style and range from 2 to 4 bedrooms.
The 0.6-hectare site is currently overgrown – but recently partially cleared – and includes remnants of former stables and a tennis court, once part of the private gardens of Station House. While the site lies partly outside the formal settlement boundary, previous advice from Isle of Wight Council planners supports its suitability for sustainable residential development.
A more intensive proposal for 9 homes was originally considered, but following ecological surveys and the introduction of new Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) rules, the number has been reduced to 5. Measures to meet the BNG requirements include habitat creation, new tree planting, hedgerows and a purpose-built wildlife pond.
The proposed layout includes a shared surface road and turning area capable of accommodating emergency and refuse vehicles.
The scheme aims to blend with the surrounding area, which includes a variety of modern and traditional homes. The land immediately south, including marshland and the former railway alignment, is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Members of the public can view and comment on application 25/00779/FUL via the Isle of Wight Council’s planning portal.
What a complete farce, the island does not need
more luxury new homes, they have built a load of them
recently in Bembridge and Shanklin,
many are still unsold!
I thought the island was crying out for more
Social housing, obviously not!
So nothing allocated for island people to get on the housing market. Only people gaining are the Stratton family, who will no doubt line there grubby pockets with money from more dreggs coming from the mainland.
Just like Cornwall and Devon etc, they all moan about
persons from outside their counties buying
up properties, but they are too blame, they don’t
have to sell to mainland persons!
But it is their greed that does, then they moan
about it later on.