Greenfield housing plans have officially been submitted in Seaview by the prestigious Eton College.
Intention to build houses on the site by the world-famous college has been known for some time, but now plans for nine two to four-bed houses and bungalows have been submitted to the Isle of Wight Council.
Agent: “A logical fill in”
Planning agents Fowler Architecture and Planning, on behalf of Eton College, said the site, locally known as ‘The Donkey Field’, represents a ‘logical in-fill extension of the existing settlement’.
Sitting behind properties on Solent View Road, agents say the buildings would be located a suitable distance from existing buildings and oriented to ‘respect any views from neighbouring properties’.
Protected trees
Trees on the site are also thought to be protected, as developers say existing trees will be retained, and preservation orders are on all of them.
The orders were installed last year after a much-loved local tree, believed to be over 100 years old, was felled by the college.
Hedgerow to the west of the site would also be retained and the development said to be ‘landscape-led’ to ensure it ‘sits comfortably within the rural setting’.
Road access
Road access to the site would be brought down from Seagrove Farm Road, leading on from the proposed eight-house development in the field above it.
Island Roads, however, has suggested the application be refused due to the generation of traffic through substandard junctions and along a substandard access road.
The highways officer said following inspection of the roads in the area, the significant uplift in daily traffic movements on roads with limited width and visibility, brought about by the proposal, is to the detriment of highway safety to the extent they were unable to support the proposal.
“Last open green space … to be swallowed up”
It is a sentiment shared by many of the 12 objectors who have already commented on the application.
One objector said they were horrified at the prospect of the ‘last open green space in East Seaview and Nettlestone’ to be swallowed up by the housing schemes with another saying it would destroy the natural boundary between the two villages.
Have your say
To view the plans, 21/01776/FUL, you can visit the council’s planning register.
The public consultation closes on 22nd October, but comments are accepted up to the point the officer makes a decision.
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
Image: © Google Maps/Streetview
