Plans for a bungalow in Lake — which were refused twice by the Isle of Wight Council — are being appealed to the government.
Applicants, the WS Group, has repeatedly tried to get permission to build a two-bedroom bungalow on vacant land between the Premier Inn and Broadlea Primary School’s field.
Housing needs argument
Now it is arguing the bungalow is much-needed due to the under-delivery of housing on the Island and it would not have the negative impacts the Isle of Wight Council said it would.
The council’s planning authority had originally deemed the scheme inappropriate due to its position, scale and design in 2019.
Revised plans were submitted, asking the council to propose solutions to any issues it might have instead of rejecting the application outright.
‘Lack architectural merit’ and ‘appears bland and of poor quality’
Council officers, however, rejected the plans again in March this year, saying it remained largely unchanged and fell on four of the five grounds it previously did, ‘lacking architectural merit’ and ‘appearing bland and of poor quality’.
Not accepting the decision, the WS Group has appealed the council’s decision to the government’s watchdog, the Planning Inspectorate.
Appeal to Planning Inspectorate
The appeal was lodged against the Isle of Wight Council in April, but the investigation into the application started last month.
Planning agent, acting on behalf of the group, LRJ Planning, said the concerns of the planning authority on the impact of the public right of way, character and appearance of the area are ‘not accepted’.
Favour sustainable development
It is argued, with the council being told to favour sustainable development, due to the underprovision of housing, the bungalow would have no adverse impact that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh its benefits.
Addressing further objections, LRJ Planning said it would be sustainably located and there would not be detrimental to pedestrian safety.
The appeal is currently being considered by the Planning Inspectorate but no decision date has yet been set.
Facing charges
William Tudor-Smith, owner of WS Group, is facing charges from the Isle of Wight Council for failing to comply with planning enforcement notices on nearby land in Lake.
Mr Tudor-Smith, who is charged alongside fellow businessman Mark King for the offence have both denied the five charges against them.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is part of. Read here to find about more about how that scheme works on the Island. Some alterations and additions may have been made by News OnTheWight. Ed
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