Controversial plans for a new housing development in Whitwell – which included moving a 130-year-old water hydrant – have been refused. The Isle of Wight Council this week rejected plans to build 22 houses off Whitwell High Street, which had residents in uproar. More than 110 objections were submitted against the plans and a campaign against the ‘sprawl’ started. A historically significant hydrant was also proposed to move 1.5m so a road to the development could be built. Isle of Wight Council officers said moving the hydrant would cause limited harm from the potential damage to the listed heritage asset but had to be weighed against the public benefits of the housing development. The housing plans were submitted in September 2021 and then revised to contain fewer houses after previous plans were withdrawn. Officers considered the houses would make a significant positive contribution to meeting local housing needs and the development would complement the character and context of the surrounding area and landscape. They also said it would result in some limited to moderate harm to the neighbours but it would not be to a degree that justified refusal of the application on those grounds alone. The housing development was ultimately refused on 7 grounds. They included a lack of affordable housing and a lack of information on the archaeology of the site, the potential impact on protected species and transport information about the impact on local highways. It was also refused because officers said the proposals had not demonstrated there were no other reasonably available sites within areas at lesser risk of flooding. The separate application to move the hydrant was refused after the housing as officers said there was no mechanism to deliver the necessary public benefits required to balance the harm of moving it. The Grade II cast iron hydrants were built in 1887, paid for by the people of the village and installed on various streets to improve the quality of drinking water and improve people’s health. Residents had said it was inappropriate to move the public hydrant for personal gain.
WHITWELL HOUSING SCHEME AND PLANS TO RELOCATE HISTORIC HYDRANT REFUSED
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That’s good news on a wet miserable day, let’s hope the developers crawl away and don’t come back.
Wonder which member of the council lives nearby?
Still good news for an unspoilt part of the island…… So far unspoilt that is.
Just build them, We need homes
It must be near the posh houses for it to get refused. I like how flooding and archaeology are suddenly important. They would be completely irrelevant if these houses were being built near Ryde or Newport.
It’s ok Whitwell has new historical large green or white metal boxes of fibre,paid for by tax payers to benefit community, in 150yrs they too won’t be able to be moved. There is plenty of land off Strathwell Crescent next to large timber shed to build on , easley get permission as presidence set by the current house (shed) on green land .
Excellent news there is far to much of these developments on the island and we do not have the infrastructure here Bob should be fighting our Government to stop all this our island will never be as it once was and it saddens me as a born island resident.Build a bridge and we will be the same as any other.
Don’t start with the bridge/tunnel drivel again. Building either would bankrupt the country for next to zero gain. NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN EVER SO STOP BLEATING ON ABOUT IT.
I think Titch was advocating against not for
You say the Island doesn’t have the infrastructure yet want a bridge.
So, that extra traffic will need better infrastructure. More people will want to live here and commute to mainland, it will significantly increase demand for more housing.
Also, do you want to pay for a bridge? Perhaps £200 on your council tax for a decade? How else will it happen?
The Island does not need more homes built.
Just look at all the properties on Rightmove plus all the old derelict hotels and
other buildings that could be transformed into properties.
The Council or Housing Associations could buy these up to make affordable housing
for Islanders.