Over a year after a serious house fire on Brading’s New Road left one property destroyed and another significantly damaged, plans have now been submitted to rebuild 1 of the affected homes.
It was at around 02:40 in the morning on 1st December that residents on New Road were awoken by 2 loud explosions. A large fire subsequently engulfed a semi-detached home (No 56), later spreading to the adjoining property (No 54).
The homeowner – a man in his 60s – was rushed to St Mary’s Hospital and later flown to the mainland for treatment at Salisbury General Hospital’s specialist burns unit, however he sadly died some 7 days later from his injuries.
Following the blaze, the family at No 54 were displaced, living temporarily elsewhere on the Island since the incident. Now, some 16 months after the fire, they have put forward plans to re-build their family home.
The application – submitted to the Isle of Wight Council at the start of April – applies to demolish both the properties but to only re-build No 54. Within the planning statement it is said that the insurers and loss adjusters have assessed No 54, which is substantially damaged, as unsound and incapable of repair.
It is understood that should the plans be approved, the dwelling will be built to replicate the Victorian/early Edwardian style character and appearance of the existing dwelling. Access will remain as currently exists and there are no plans to add any off-road parking. The design of No 54 is such that a replacement dwelling at No 56 could be attached at some point in the future.
The immediate future of No 56 – which was completely destroyed and not insured – remains uncertain, with the property still in the hands of solicitors.
Anyone wishing to comment on the application can do so on the Isle of Wight Council’s Planning Portal quoting 25/00547/FUL. All comments should be made by the 13th May 2025.
