A concerned VB reader has been in touch with us to highlight their concern over a recommendation being made by Head of Planning, Bill Murphy, to the Planning Committee later today.
The concern relates to a planning application for development of five houses with courtyard complex and parking with access off Mill Hill Road, Cowes.
It is a revised application, the first having been rejected by the Local Planning Authority (LPA), as well as by the Planning Inspectorate (PI).
Unsafe access to parking?
It appears from the application details that the only way for vehicles to leave the parking spaces at the front of the development (as is shown the in plans above), would be in reverse gear across a busy pavement, before accessing the main drag from Newport to Cowes.
Anyone familiar with the area will also know that this road is also used by the No.1 bus, which (luckily for those using that route) passes by around every six minutes.
UDP Clause Ignored?
Those who follow planning issues, will be aware of the Island’s ‘planning bible’, the Unitary Development Plan (UDP). This Plan contains a clause (TR7) that aims protect the safety of those using the highway.
It states ….
Highway Consideration of New Development
TR7: Planning application for new developments will be approved where they take account of the following matters for highway safety:a. that the proper provision of facilities within the development has been made so as to ensure the safe movement and separation of vehicular traffic, buses, cycles and pedestrians;
b. that any new road layout, including vehicular access, road junctions, and crossing points are constructed to provide safe conditions for all road users, particularly the needs of the more vulnerable, such as cyclist, pedestrians and the disabled.
Many planning applications have, over the years, been rejected as they could not satisfy this clause, with vehicles only being able to leave the parking space in reverse gear. Given this, one would gather that it’s a clause that’s generally taken seriously.
Sudden change of mind
Our reader tells us that in February he’d heard from the junior case officer that the LPA were likely to recommend refusal of the application, as senior managers were concerned about the parking access at the front of the development.
His confusion arrived six weeks later, when he heard that Head of Planning, Bill Murphy, was recommending approval of the development.
According to the report being presented to Planning Committee following the revisions, the Area Highway Engineer “appraised the scheme in considerable detail and has raised no objection to the scheme.”
Which way will committee vote?
How cars reversing out across a pavement onto a busy road is considered safe would be beyond most people’s comprehension. However, it is the conclusion that the IWC’s Area Highway Engineer and Bill Murphy have come to in this case.
The application will be discussed at the Planning Committee later today from 4pm. We’ll let you know whether the committee members listen to the objections of concerned neighbours of the proposed development, take heed of the TR7 clause or follow the word of Bill Murphy.
Read the full details of Planning Application
LPA Recommendation and Other planning issues – let us know
Many, many other people on the Island have had difficulties with the Isle of Wight planning department.
If you’re having problem with them too, let us know.
Image: © Isle of Wight council
