A group of Islanders have launched a campaign against plans to build five houses on the shore, as well as a shellfish processing and retail facility and a restaurant on the existing refurbished pier next to Fort Victoria.
As well as displaying banners on the beach, the campaigners have also published a Website setting out their concerns, which are detailed below.
Miles Blamire: “Some significant inaccuracies”
A spokesperson for the developer, Miles Blamire Ltd, told News OnTheWight,
“As part of the planning process we welcome public engagement with our proposed schemes and where objections are valid, we seek to mitigate any negative impacts.
“However, in regard to specific objections raised against our Westhill Road scheme by the local campaign group, there are some significant inaccuracies.”
No change to public access
Claims in the campaign material that the development will cut the council-managed beach in two, preventing the public from walking along the shoreline to and from Fort Victoria have been strongly rejected by the developers, Miles Blamire Ltd, who told News OnTheWight,
“The development does not cut the beach in two. There is no obstruction of the coastal path and it does not prevent the public from walking along the shoreline (above and below the high water line).
“Furthermore the proposed pier access has been raised 2m above the beach to ensure there are no changes needed to the proposed ECP route.”
Road issues being addressed
The campaigners also point out that the road leading to the fort is mostly without a pavement, and suffers from dangerous blind spots.
They say the increase in traffic from the construction and operation of the factory and homes could endanger the walkers and cyclists on Westhill Lane.
Miles Blamire Ltd say they have addressed this issue via the Island Roads objection and made some changes to the plans.
Parking
Campaigners say the fact that no parking is being proposed by the developers for employees and customers of the factory and retail space is an oversight “that will create even more traffic problems in the area”.
However, Miles Blamire Ltd argue their proposal for use of the existing Fort Victoria public car park, is a valid one for a coastal/beach site. They point to The Hut and Totland Pier (or much of Ventnor seafront) as other examples that follow the same principle.
Sewage and flood concerns
Locals say they are concerned that if the factory and five houses are not connected to the public sewer, it could lead to fears of pollution in the sensitive marine environment.
Their material states,
“These pollution fears are increased because the development is on a flood risk zone that is susceptible to large storm surges.”
The developer says there has “never been a storm surge on the site” and that their scheme meets the standards set out by relevant statutory bodies.
Atkins: Wrong housing in wrong place
Local resident Fran Atkins, says,
“We completely agree that local people need new housing, but these homes are not aimed at that need, and they are in the wrong place.
“After the floods in recent years, it would be madness to deliberately put future residents in harm’s way.”
Evacuation plans
The campaigners state in their material that in the event of flooding, the proposed evacuation plan would be for the occupiers to relocate to the top floor of the houses and await rescue by the emergency services.
The developer told News OnTheWight that this is “not true” and that the evacuation plan is via the front doors of the houses and the existing highway.
The spokesperson for Miles Blamire Ltd said,
“In regard to the technical issues highlighted, some modifications have been made to address valid objections by Island Roads and the scheme has been designed to meet the standards set by the relevant statutory bodies in regard to flood levels and sewage disposal.
“And we can safely say that future potential residents will definitely not need to evacuate to the roofline and await rescue!”
Miles Blamire: Potential to eclipse its former glory days
They finished by saying,
“Over the past few years the stretch of coast from Yarmouth through to Totland Bay has been undergoing a renaissance in terms of its tourism offer and we believe our Westhill scheme will provide another significant asset to support the wider regeneration of the West Wight.
“This once thriving stretch of coast has the potential to eclipse its former glory days with a fresh and exciting range of restaurants, cafes, beaches, recreation spaces and supporting services.”
