Plans to shore up the Isle of Wight’s iconic Military Road have been refused.
Members of the Isle of Wight Council’s planning committee last night (Tuesday) turned down plans to stabilise the section between Brook and Hanover Point, in line with officers’ recommendation.
Significant adverse impact on the landscape
They said the work was likely to have had a significant adverse impact on the landscape and beauty and would have hit protected habitats, including an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Scientific Sites of Special Interest.
Members also said the scheme had not considered the impact on the adjacent coastal path.
Two supported the scheme
Seven councillors refused the plan, however councillors Matthew Price and Claire Critchison chose to support the scheme, calling the Island road a ‘lifeline’.
Members of the Planning Committee include:
- Councillor Warren Drew (Con) (Chairman)
- Councillor Chris Quirk (Con) (Vice-Chairman)
- Councillor Debbie Andre (Alliance)
- Councillor Jonathan Bacon (Alliance)
- Councillor Geoff Brodie (Ind Lab)
- Councillor Vanessa Churchman (Con)
- Councillor Claire Critchison (Alliance)
- Councillor Julie Jones-Evans (Alliance)
- Councillor Martin Oliver (Con)
- Councillor Matthew Price (Con)
- Councillor Peter Spink (Con)
- Councillor Nick Stuart (LibDem)
- Emma Cox (IWALC)
26-metre-long wall to protect the road
The plan was to build a 26-metre-long wall, to prevent the cliff edge from collapsing further, by drilling 21 metres deep into the ground to install piles.
Billed as a temporary solution, it set out to support the award-winning route which, in some parts, is now less than five metres away from the cliff edge.
Road at risk in fewer than seven years
Island Roads, which was behind the scheme, said if the current rate of erosion continues the road will be at risk in fewer than seven years.
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
