Worries about highway safety have been raised, ahead of the next phase of refurbishment work, at an Isle of Wight hotel.
New owner, A2K Leisure, has proposed an alfresco dining area at the Albion Hotel in Freshwater Bay — but it would be built on a public road.
IR: Could ‘split the cul-de-sac in half’
Currently, the road is an off-shoot of Gate Lane, which provides access to a public slipway — cars reverse and boats are towed across it.
The proposals could ‘effectively split the cul-de-sac in half’, said Island Roads, which has objected to the proposal.
Plans for the road
The road at the front of the hotel, looking over Freshwater Bay, is subject to multiple traffic orders, which stop vehicles parking there for nine months of the year.
Under the planning application, the road could be partially re-paved and removable bollards could be installed, to prevent vehicles driving into the space.
No intention to remove space from the public realm
Emergency and pedestrian access and the public right of way would be maintained, the plans say.
In planning documents submitted to the Isle of Wight council, agent Modh Design, for A2K Leisure, said,
“It is not the intention to remove this space from the public realm.
“Instead, it is to improve the appearance of the area, make the section of carriageway safer and more enjoyable for pedestrians, and to protect the hotel from damage.”
Island Roads said it would leave the area ‘severely compromised’.
Road maintenance uncertainty
There is also uncertainty about road maintenance because, while A2k Leisure has said it will pay for the work and ongoing maintenance, it is Island Roads’ legal responsibility for the upkeep of the road.
Island Roads said it would not have the materials nor money to maintain it, if A2k was to step away.
It has also raised concerns about who would be able to remove the bollards if access was required.
View the plans
You can view the plans, 23/00680/FUL, on the council’s planning register.
The public consultation runs until 30th May.
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
Image: © Modh Architectural Design
