There are huge sighs of relief from those concerned about the future of the Ventnor esplanade as an appeal by the developer of Le Veness site has been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.
Regular readers will remember the long-running saga of Le Veness. Back in 2004, permission to build a six story development on Ventnor’s seafront was granted under recommendation of former Planning Officer, Andrew Pegram who declared that a six storey building on the fragile Ventnor seafront was “”¦ a minor application”¦”
Permission about to run out
The site sat undeveloped for many years, until the death of site owner, Mr Abraham Aubrey Moss, at which time the Trustees of the estate kick-started the development to ensure the permission would not run out.
Although they met many of the conditions prior to starting work, two conditions imposed by the Isle of Wight council in the permission were not satisfactorily met, so a stop notice was put on the development.
The permission was later declared void due to insufficient paperwork being submitted.
Inquiry held at County Hall
The Trustees of Mr Moss’ Estate (the new site owners) appealed against this decision and an inquiry was held at County Hall last month.
Evidence was given by the Ventnor Mayor, Debbie Robinson, as well as Dennis Russell of the CPRE.
Following the inquiry, we now hear that the appeal was dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate under the grounds not providing sufficient detail for condition 2 to be discharged.
However, he does state at the end of his report
The lawful status of planning permission P/02364/02 may be the subject of further appeals.
So this may not be the last we hear of this development.
