A controversial 900-home housing development on the outskirts of Ryde has been recommended for approval — despite residents’ concerns about over-development and urban sprawl.
Pennyfeathers has been on the drawing board since 2017, but is moving closer to final approval by the Isle of Wight council.
“A densely packed small township”
More than 40 people have submitted objections to the scheme — including Ryde Town Council, Nettlestone and Seaview Parish Council and Island MP Bob Seely.
One person said,
“This is a densely packed small township with no amenities, marooned on green fields rolling down to a flood zone.
“It has serious infrastructure issues and adds nothing to the character of this area of Ryde.”
Other concerns
Another said it was a ‘mass-produced housing estate in Georgian drag’.
Other concerns were raised about affordable housing, building on a greenfield and an increase in traffic.
Access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale
The application is being considered by the authority’s planning committee next Tuesday, to approve access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale.
It is proposed the scheme could be built in seven phases — where 904 houses and flats, five commercial buildings and a community centre could be built.
15 years to construct
The Isle of Wight council believes it could take more than 15 years to construct if approved.
Officers are recommending conditional permission be granted, with nine stipulations covering noise, drainage, landscaping and compliance with approved plans.
They say concerns about the impact on the infrastructure, loss of a greenfield and similar points are not relevant as these were considered at an earlier stage when the principle of the scheme was deemed acceptable.
IWC: Would sit comfortably in the context of the area
Officers accept there would be a stark change from open fields to commercial and residential development, but it is thought it would sit comfortably in the context of the area and appear as a continuation of the built up area.
IWC: Would provide much-needed housing
Overall, the planning authority says the proposed development would provide much-needed housing and significant weight must be given to the fact outline consent has been granted.
Considering all other aspects, officers say, the proposed scheme would not have an unacceptable impact and the positive benefits outweigh the negative.
The developer could be asked to clear the Monkton Brook channel running through the site.
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
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