A new housing proposal next to Horsebridge Hill providing “much-needed homes” for Isle of Wight families has received backing from County Hall.
Captiva Homes’ revised plans for 32 houses, access, landscaping, and ancillary infrastructure on land at Acorn Farm have been granted consent.
This development extends from the 145-homes that form phase one.
Mix of dwellings
Of the 32 new homes, 20 are classed as market housing, nine as social, affordable or intermediate rent and a further three are designated as affordable home ownership, according to Captiva’s application form.
Additional housing in a sustainable location
The Isle of Wight Council’s decision report for proposal 25/01556/FUL says,
“The proposed development would provide additional housing in a sustainable location, close to existing residential areas as well as services and facilities.
“The design and layout would sit comfortably within the context of the already approved development in this area and the general character of the locality, without having any unacceptable impacts on neighbouring properties.
“The access to the site would be safe and the resultant traffic generation from the site would not have any significant impacts on the local highway network or the operation of nearby junctions.”
It goes on to say sufficient parking would be provided and that fire appliances and refuse vehicles would be able to safely access, manoeuvre and turn on site.
The application would not have any unacceptable effects on trees, ecology or archaeology, subject to conditions, it says.
Planning conditions
A total of 17 conditions were attached to the approval, with reasons including planning policy and legal compliance, maintaining the area’s amenity value, ensuring suitable drainage, environmental protection, the appropriate maintenance of open space areas, visual amenity and highway safety.
Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council filed a letter of support for the development, subject to conditions relating to pedestrian safety, accessibility, drainage capacity, flooding, tree planting and a developer contribution towards the extra cost of primary health care.
Feedback from local councillor
Parkhurst and Hunnyhill’s Liberal Democrat councillor Andrew Garratt previously said,
“I am pleased to hear that this planning application continues the partnership with the housing association (Sovereign Network Group) to help provide much-needed homes for Island families to rent and buy.”
He also however flagged concerns over the speed of traffic on the thoroughfare, a lack of adequately maintained pedestrian infrastructure and heavy rain overwhelming drains at the bottom of Horsebridge Hill, resulting in flooding.
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
