Isle of Wight council refusal of a planning application to build a pair of semi-detached homes on a former builder’s yard in Ryde is being appealed with the Planning Inspectorate.
Without an approved Island Plan, planning applications to Isle of Wight council currently fall within the “presumption of favour for sustainable developments”.
Justification for appeal
The agent for the applicants argues that the location is recognised as sustainable, the site is not within a conservation area, or on any designated land.
“Applications for housing should be approved unless any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.”
There are no trees on the site and no potential for ecological impacts as a result of housing development.
Reasons for refusal
Planning officials for the IWC gave the following as their reason for refusal,
“The proposed development, by virtue of its position and scale together with the size of the site, would result in over-development which would cause the plot to appear cramped and contrived.
“The proposed dwellings would be an unneighbourly addition which would give rise to overdominance which would be a further indicator that the proposal is inappropriate.
“For these reasons the proposal would result in unacceptable adverse impacts on the surrounding area and neighbouring properties and therefore fails to comply with policy DM2 (Design Quality for New Development) of the Island Plan Core Strategy.”
Council supported the principle of an urban infill scheme
The agent argues,
“Prior to submitting the application which is the subject of this appeal, our client obtained a preapplication opinion from the Council.
“In general terms, the Council supported the principle of an urban infill scheme.”
They go on to say,
“Southern Water has confirmed that the fresh water supply to this site comes from Ashey, and that sewer waste from this street is taken to Sandown. If this appeal for one pair of semidetached houses is granted and the scheme built, there would be no additional nitrate leakage into the Solent as a result.”
Small infill development provides much-needed housing
In their justification for the appeal, the agent sets out several arguments against the decision made by planning officers. They conclude,
“The appeal site is previously developed land, and currently makes no contribution to visual amenity in Prince Street.
“A small infill housing development on this site, designed to complement the scale of surrounding properties and respect the privacy of neighbours, would be compliant with Core Strategy policy and would optimise the use of this derelict urban land.
“Our client requests that this appeal is granted, so that the site can provide two units of much-needed housing to modern building regulations and energy efficiency standards in Ryde.”
You can read the full justification on the council’s Planning Portal.
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