Plans for houses near an East Cowes primary school are back again, despite being rejected nearly three years ago.
The Sisters of Christ have once again put forward outline plans for 25 houses on Millfield Avenue, in a field next to Holy Cross Primary School, and part of its car park.
Agent: Improved layout, scale and form of development
The Isle of Wight council rejected the previous application for eight reasons, including removal of existing car parking provisions for the school, potential harm to a locally listed heritage asset and a significant increase in traffic on the junction of Old Road and Millfield Avenue.
Planning agents, Vail Williams, said the reasons for refusal have been addressed and the scheme now has an improved layout, scale and form of development.
Current car parking facilities would be relocated.
New green through centre of site
A new green space has also been proposed running through the centre of the site, to minimise the view of the development when looking from the nearby listed Millfield House.
The Sisters used to live in the former Springhill Convent, but sold most of its land and buildings in 2016.
Mix of market and affordable homes
The housing application is proposed on the last parcel of land the Sisters own and could contain 16 market and nine affordable houses and bungalows.
In planning documents, Vail Williams says it will be a characterful development which extended the existing settlement footprint and positively integrates new buildings and landscapes.
Outline permission
The application is only seeking permission for the access, layout and scale of the development
The other appearance and landscaping will be determined at a later stage.
Love: No, no, no to this development
East Cowes councillor, Karl Love, has spoken out against the application, saying,
“Nothing has really changed despite the claims of the Developer. I’m incredibly disappointed with the Sisters of Christ for supporting and pursuing this application after all the support and good will the people of our town gave to them over many years.
“There has been no communication from the Sisters with the surrounding residents who had a very close personal relationship with them.
“This is an area of special ecology interest. It is known to have snakes, rare bats and owls. It has Red Squirrels and other mammals. It has a direct impact on the grade 2 listed buildings and the access from Old Road is perilously dangerous with blind narrow bends and no pavements. The access road is also unadopted and not owned by the developers and as been in the care of the residents for many years.
“The land on which this proposal sits is part of the historic landscape of Norris and Springhill and parklands. It needs protection not development.
“The application was previously refused and I will not support this application because of its impact on the surrounding area, residents and highway issues and all the other eight first refusal issues.
View the plans
You can view the plans, 22/01051/OUT, on the council’s planning register. The public consultation runs until 17th March.
Article edit
4.40pm 15th Feb 2023 – Comment from KL added
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
Image: © Boyle and Summers
