A planning application for a substation control room at the site of Flowersbrook in Ventnor has been labelled a ‘holiday hijack’ by nearby residents.
Several readers have been in touch with OnTheWight over the last week, expressing their concern at planning notices posted along the coastal walk between Ventnor and Steephill Cove.
The application, submitted on behalf of those operating the Perpetuus Tidal Energy Centre, reads,
Outline for onshore elements for Perpetuus Tidal Energy Centre including substation/control room and associated parking cabling and site levelling works
The plans
Plans reveal a new building (substation/control room) by the roadside, on land currently occupied by the Flowersbrook Caravan Park. It would sit alongside the water board’s building (just beyond the fence below).
Click on images to see larger versions
In addition, underground cabling will be installed between the substation and the coast, with one section of the coastal footpath being closed for one month and another closed for two months, whilst work is carried out (during winter months, the application states).
As far as we could see, once completed, this development would not visually affect the land owned by the Isle of Wight council that residents are fond of walking on, although it has been hard to confirm (see below).
Problems viewing the plans
Unfortunately, the council’s planning Website has been very glitchy since Friday (when the plans went live).
It appears to be hit and miss as to whether you can view the plans online. Sometimes they have appeared, other times, not.
Holiday hijack?
This, coupled with the fact the planning office is closed until 2nd January, has led to some residents expressing their concern the public consultation period for this application may pass without residents being either aware of it, or with little time to view, consider and comment.
Have your say
Full details (if you’re lucky) can be found and comments left for planning officers on the council’s Website.
Residents have until close of business on Friday 16th January to have their say.
