Last week a VB reader got in touch after he heard some concerning news about an iconic large rock in Ventnor.
Many will instantly guess the rock we’re talking, the one that sits on the corner of Belgrave Road and Church Street, otherwise known as ‘The Outcrop’.
The Outcrop is now the subject of a planning application and local residents have been raising their concerns to the plans.
Dangerous to walk underneath
Owners of the rock say that it is dangerous to walk underneath, for risk of falling debris. We’re not sure we’ve ever seen anyone chose to walk on that side of the road – given the view and larger pavement is on the of the side of the road – however, plans (see below) appear to be to cut back the rock face and infill a section with cement, finished in a random manner to follow the strata of the exiting rock.
“Ventnor desecrated by planning approvals”
Ventnor resident, Roy Rigby told VB, “I live in Belgrave Road, and have often cursed the overhang for its wind tunnel effect at the corner, but I regard it with affection and its potential loss causes me much grief.
“We have, in the past 50 years or so, desecrated Ventnor with so called beneficial planning approvals which have resulted in the destruction of fine buildings and features, only to be replaced with modern characterless structures. The demolition of Ventnor Castle is a prime example of such desecration.
“All of Belgrave Road is within a conservation area; it has even recently been extended to the end of Park Avenue at the west. The rock has been within the conservation area from its original inception. That the County Planners are prepared to allow the destruction of such a unique geological feature, which predates the town by millennia and which therefore should be the very last thing in a Conservation area to be changed, is utterly unbelievable.
“Rather than demolish the overhang and build an unsightly, high and featureless wall, why not simply construct a small planter bed beneath it, to permanently close the footpath at that point? Populate the planter with minimal maintenance shingle and foliage and allow Mother Nature to do Her own thing, in Her own time, as erosion takes its course and drop bits of rock on the planter bed? No one would be at risk from that!”
Have your say
You can let the council know your views on the application by completing the online form found on the Planning Website by close of business on 1st July.
Feel free to also let us know what you think about it below.
