A 74-house development could be built on the site of a former Isle of Wight school.
Last Thursday (27th November 2025), planning consultancy DPP hosted a public consultation event at Browns Golf Course Cafe on draft plans to redevelop the former Sandham Middle School site between the Fairway and Perowne Way in Sandown.
The school closed in 2011 and since the demolition of the buildings, the site has remained vacant.
Held on behalf of developer Strategic Green Land, the meeting gave residents the chance to look over the proposals, which include a mix of two, three and four-bedroom units, and share their views.
The draft plans are for 65 per cent market housing, 35 per cent as ‘affordable’ homes, along with landscaping and parking areas throughout the site.
They also include a vehicle access from The Fairway as well as a pedestrian and cycle link to the south of the site connecting to Perowne Way.
Benefits for Sandown and Lake Football Club
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) at the event, Sandown and Lake Football Club representatives Steve Hobday and Steve Berry welcomed the plans for an “abandoned area” which was “crying out for development” and would help in the “current housing situation”.
Benefits they said it could bring to the club included more players and volunteers in the future and possible funding opportunities.
Mixed responses
Asked how the local community had responded to the proposals, Nathan Slater, principal planner at DPP, said,
“Probably mixed – I think some concern around what’s happening with some existing trees on the site.
“There’s been some positives about the design of the houses, some people have said they approve of the design of the houses, others not so – it’s a subjective thing to a certain degree.
“And some positives on providing the type of housing that’s on the site. There is a feeling that there is a need for housing but…balanced with other comments that 74 units is too much for the site.
“From our perspective, we feel the site can accommodate that amount of development.”
Mr Slater said a finalised planning application would be submitted to the Isle of Wight Council in early 2026.
Lightfoot: I hope that the developer will adjust their plan as a result of these comments
Sandown town councillor Paddy Lightfoot said,
“It is very welcome to see plans for the old Sandham Middle School site progressing at last. More housing is needed across the Island, and this is a small step towards meeting that need, utilising this redundant site.
“However, I have already had residents comment to me that there is no single bed accommodation, a need that is highlighted in local housing needs.
“As this is a consultation prior to full planning application, I hope that the developer will adjust their plan as a result of these comments and the Isle of Wight Council will ensure this happens before granting planning permission.”
Lack of notice
Sandown resident Tom Patrick meanwhile told the LDRS he didn’t think enough notice had been given to locals about the consultation and cafe event, saying he had been alerted via a letter a day in advance, stuffed between his fence and a gate.
He said,
“The communication could have been far better and much more organised and planned ahead.”
Extension to feedback comments
DPP has said it will be extending the period for receiving comments on the draft plans from 15th December 2025 to 11th January 2026.
The full proposals can be found on the DPP website.
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
