Will it take an Isle of Wight child to be ‘killed or seriously injured before anyone notices?’, a resident opposed to a Newport development has asked.
Plans to extend a housing estate have raised fears among locals, who say their roads are already a ‘rat run’ and that they dread an increase in traffic.
Plans for new homes
Their comments come as plans are lodged, by developer Gallantgreen, for 20 more houses between Mountbatten Drive and Sylvan Drive, on the edge of Newport and Carisbrooke.
There is also the potential for hundreds more on adjacent land.
‘Cries for help have been shot down in flames’
Speaking at a meeting of Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council, earlier this week, a resident of Hazel Close said they have already approached local schools, the council, police and Island Roads, but their ‘cries for help have been shot down in flames’.
The community council has now joined residents calling for the greenfield housing plans to be rejected, saying there are a lot of unanswered questions and unknowns about the proposed development.
Former permission
Permission was granted, over 20 years ago, for more than 200 houses on the same land, but these were never built.
The owner of nearby Kitbridge Farm, which originally owned the land sold to developers, spoke of concerns about the potential impact on the sewage system.
School-run traffic
The Hazel Close resident said school-run traffic is already dangerous and residents ‘faced abuse’ for asking drivers not to park across their driveways.
The community council said a lack of information about pedestrian safety was one reason it would object to the application.
Council’s concerns
The council also said it would have a ‘negative impact on existing public rights of way’, as well as habitats, highways and traffic flow.
Councillors felt there could be an over development of the site and an increased risk of flooding.
They said there was little evidence of affordable housing plans.
View the plans
Councillors urged residents to comment on the application, 23/01410/FUL until 6th October, on the Isle of Wight council’s 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
