A contentious bid to demolish a garage in ‘very poor condition’ in Seaview has been approved by planners, despite a parish council’s ‘serious concerns’.
The Isle of Wight Council has granted Mr and Mrs Rivlin consent to replace a building known as ‘The Garage’ on Circular Road with a new domestic storage and garage structure.
The applicants previously said the development would ‘make better use of the site’ and ‘improve the aesthetic fronting to Circular Road’, while being ‘significantly smaller in scale’ than previous applications.
Council officers refused plans for a replacement garage and personal art studio at the site in March, saying they would have no ‘public benefit’ and would ‘cause harm’ to the Seaview Conservation Area. They also refused another proposal at the site in December last year.
A Design and Access Statement written by the Goddard Partnership for the latest application said:
“The garage/store is a part single, part two storey building. It has a mono-pitched corrugated asbestos roof and an asbestos tiled two storey element within.
“The structure is in a very poor condition. This application largely is similar to the previous proposals whereby the existing buildings will be demolished and replaced with a new building with the same storage use.
“We have proposed a simple materials palette of facing brick with a natural slate roof to sit harmoniously with the existing surrounding Victorian residential buildings.”
Article continues below this advertisement
Proposal 25/00962/FUL received 30 letters of support from members of the public.
Arguments in favour included it being a practical and much-needed improvement, the development not negatively impacting the light, privacy, overlooking or outlook of neighbouring properties and its enhancement of the condition and safety of the location.
Meanwhile, 4 objections were filed, saying the proposal was poorly designed, would fail to conserve or improve the character and appearance of the Seaview Conservation Area and would result only in private benefits for the applicant.
A spokesperson for Nettlestone and Seaview Parish Council said:
“While the parish council recognises that this application represents an improvement upon its previous iteration, serious concerns remain regarding the impact of the proposed development on neighbouring properties.
“Despite amendments to the scheme, the resultant building would remain overbearing in scale and form, particularly in relation to the adjacent properties.
“The massing and proximity of the structure continue to raise concerns about its dominance over the local streetscape and the loss of openness for neighbouring residents.
“The council is also concerned about the potential for a substantial loss of natural light to neighbouring homes and gardens.
“Given the scale and position of the development, particularly in relation to boundary lines and window placements of adjacent properties, it is likely that the proposal would lead to overshadowing and a material reduction in amenity for those affected.”
County Hall’s decision report said:
“It is considered that this proposal would not cause harm to the conservation area or the setting of a listed building, and would replace existing structures which are in need of extensive repairs, with a more usable and functional design.”
10 conditions were attached to the consent for reasons of legislation and planning policy, the interests of the conservation area’s amenities, environmental and wildlife protection, highway safety, neighbouring residential amenity and ensuring suitable drainage.
Sense at last, good luck with the project.
I get fed up hearing about ‘conservation zones’ Most of them are a sham that just hold back area improvements.
Well said. They are often completely inappropriate and thwart innovation, progress and economic growth.