Several residents from across the Isle of Wight have raised concerns and criticism over the current planning application to reinstate vehicle access for residents to the landlocked properties on Undercliff Drive.
The planning application submitted by Island Roads seeks permission to build a new road further inland at the Western end of the section of Undercliff Drive that was hit by a landslip during geo-technical works by Island Roads in February 2014.
What about cycle and pedestrian access?
When the Isle of Wight council executive agreed to a budget of up to £500,000 to create an access road for residents in October 2014, it was also agreed that public pedestrian and cycle access would be reinstated through the entire site.
One of the major concerns raised about the planning application has been the reference by Island Roads (IR) to the road being for ‘private use only’.
The information provided by IR states,
“The proposal under consideration seeks to retain a gate system to limit access to private users only.”
Public access routes
OnTheWight raised this issue last week with Executive member, Phil Jordan, who told us,
“It is not the intention that the road and pathway are anything but public access routes.”
Following a query to the planning department, Niton and Whitwell Parish Council has received the following statement,
“Island Roads have confirmed that once the works are completed there will be access for walkers, cyclists and horse riders along the renewed stretches of the Drive, therefore allowing access right along Undercliff Drive.
“There will be locked gates for cars, but there will be an unlocked footpath gate at each end.”
We did ask the council two days ago about this issue but at time of publishing they had failed to respond.
Other issues in relation to the application, such as material facts being added as comments by Island Roads rather than in the original application are being looked into by the council.
The planning application closes to public comment on Friday 20th May. Full details can be found on the iwight planning Website.
