Plans have been put forward to rejuvenate a derelict parcel of land in the heart of Cowes, previously branded ‘increasingly untidy’ by neighbours.
Market Hill could have a new addition after plans were submitted to the Isle of Wight Council by Mr and Mrs Lavell.
Planning documents describe a house of ‘high-quality contemporary design’, and proposals include a green roof, three areas of greenery at varying levels and a roof terrace. Previously, planning permission was granted for a pair of semi-detached houses on the site in 2013 but it has since lapsed.
Now, the new plans for the 4-bed house have been put before the council after residents of nearby Castle Road, which partially look down on the site, called for the ‘shabby’ area to be tidied up.
They approached Cowes Town Council asking the authority to buy the land from the property developers and turn it into a small park. The town council has since set up a working party to see what can be done and in February wrote to the Lavell’s asking for work to be done to clean the site.
A heritage statement for the new plans, compiled by West Sussex Archaeology, said:
“The site has been occupied by multiple dwellings since at least the late 18th century although they were cleared away following the effects of bombing in the Second World War, leaving the site ‘derelict’ ever since”.
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The archaeologists say the redevelopment of the land will have a positive impact on the Cowes Conservation Area it sits in.
They also say there is a clear presumption in favour of development as its current appearance and character ‘is not only out of keeping with its past but also detrimental to its present setting’.
View the plans, 22/00919/FUL, on the council’s planning register. Comments can be submitted until July 1.
Absolutely no harm whatsoever in leaving it as it is. No more crass development needed. If the overlooking neighbours find it “shabby” why not get off your over privileged over padded pink racing trousers yacht y ars*s and run a strimmer over it yourselves. Literally the last piece of “natural” land in Cowes.
Well said !
About time something was done there. A nice house getting built there can only help up value the properties around it too.
Let’s just hope the NIMBY’s think instead of just opposing as usual!
how about planting more trees to take more CO2 out of the atmosphere and create a much fresher smell in the area. A nice woodland would be good.
Please move to the mainland. Or further, if you can afford it. They’ll run special trips to space soon. Wouldn’t that impress your friends?
Jog on! I’ve lived in Cowes all my life, 55+ years to be precise. That piece of land has been a wreck since it was bombed in the war. As a child i remember that nothing was ever there. And, for your information I will never move off the island. As for “if you can afford it” not that it’s any of your business whatsoever but we do own a couple of properties both sides of the river. So get over yourself & don’t be so darn up yoursel and look at the bigger picture.
I expect it might amazingly just catch fire one of these days.
Why are the rich so greedy? Oh, that’s why they are rich, of course. Because human decency, which involves care of the environment for others, doesn’t sit well with them.
How can Sharon be rich, with a name like Sharon ?