Part of a former dairy farm in Wellow could host 16 new properties and provide land for the much-talked-about cycle path from Newport to the West Wight.
The site for the homes at Lee Farm on Wellow’s Main Road would see a number of barns and storage building would be demolished.
Submitted by current Yarmouth mayor Steve Cowley and his company, Cowley and Cowley, the development would have 6 two-bed, 9 three-bed and 1 four-bed houses built to reflect a farmhouse and its surrounding buildings, according to planning documents.
Agent, Andrew White Planning Consultancy, says the farmyard site has been derelict and the barns and buildings are in various states of repair.
Despite some of the proposed area being farmland, all of the site is technically previously developed, or brownfield, land as determined by the Planning Inspectorate.
Mr White said:
“Although Wellow is not a particularly sustainable location for new housing, there is a clear requirement for local community housing in this area and delivering this on land that has been developed would be of benefit to the local area.”
Sitting on the edge of Wellow and Thorley, the applicants say they would make a 1.75km strip of land available for the West Wight Greenway (cycle track) while also proposing to undertake the work associated with delivering surfacing, fencing and gates.
Housing developments on the Island, which provide more than ten houses, either have to provide a proportion of properties as affordable or contribute payment to put affordable housing elsewhere.
Mr White says, through the findings of a viability report, the development should be able to make a ‘modest financial contribution’ towards off-site affordable housing.
A bungalow already built at the site is included in the plans, changing the use from a holiday dwelling into a permanent home.
You can view proposals, 21/00684/FUL, on the council’s planning register. Comments will be accepted until May 17.
“provide land for the much-talked-about cycle path “
Need to say no more really.
Submitted by current Yarmouth mayor Steve Cowley and his company, Cowley and Cowley,
And there you have it, a disgusting disregard for the environment by a councilor, who is only interested in lining his pocket, whilst happily destroying the environment – what a damned hypocrite -didn’t the council vote in that we are in a climate emergency
well cowley, destroying farmland and concreting it over, reduces the ability of the island to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and making the climate emergency worse
Alas money talks!!!!! Say no more.
Iow is going to merge into 1 big concrete blob ……
Absolutely spot on! The proposed cycle way encompasses the old railway line ‘given’ when the railways here folded – this is just a tick in the green but to substantiate unnecessary planning.
The demolition will cause problems as most of the so called derelict barns/buildings have asbestos roofs…more pollution!
Crowley is also chair of the parish council so no doubt he’ll be greasing palms on the committee to get what he wants. Such a hypocrite just lining his pockets.
The Parish Council has zero influence on Planning decisions, especially now that we are in “special measures” thanks to IW Council’s inability to come anywhere near its affordable housing target.
Of more concern might be: how did the land and buildings come to be derelict? Poor farm managemernt? Years of neglect?
They aren’t derelict .. have a look. If they were derelict why would you store old fashioned buses (worth a bit of money) in them … This is just an excuse like the tick in the green box for the cycle way.
Not poor farm management another lazy farmer looking for easy cash.
Having seen reports of up to 3000 houses on the island sitting empty as a second home perhaps this issue needs fixing? . Also what about the lack of employment on this island already with the population rising and it relying mostly on holiday related jobs. The council is growing themselves a giant bill later when people are stuck with nothing to do.
These people do not give a jot for young folk struggling to get on the housing ladder let alone the stats for all the empty houses. These houses will become second homes all because the councillors, be it Town or Parish and local MP all pee in the same pot.. what’s the adage not what you know but who you know.
And surely if all these homes are built we need a bigger Hospital, more Dr’s surgeries, dentists social care etc …
Unfair on all those who are waiting for treatment…. More housing more strain on our NHS. And also as you say what about the employment, where are the jobs.
First it will be 16, then a few more, and then more
All about money. Does not give a care about anybody else. Let’s just concrete the Island over and call that it
Mr White said:
“Although Wellow is not a particularly sustainable location for new housing
……….
clearly no need for these houses and they are just lining their pockets at the expense of the environment.
they even admit it is not sustainable – so they want to destroy the environment for nothing.,
Spot on … planning will be passed as soon as the old boys network get together !
I wonder how Seldom Seely will react to this one? It’s on his own doorstep yet it’s proposed by a staunch Tory councillor. Tricky …
They are probably great pals ?
Cowley is chair of the parish council so there is a conflict of interest for a start. The planning application should not go before shalfleet parish council – it should be heard at another parish meeting and taken out of the formers altogether.
If building is really needed, why not build in earias that are already built up?? That way we could protect our countryside.
Better to expand built up areas, we don’t want concrete jungles all over the island..
Unfortunately the greedy developers live and own land in areas that aren’t built up.