A controversial planning application in the Cowes / Gurnard / Northwood area has been granted outline permission at Appeal – to build 86 houses.
The site, in green fields to the left of Place Road Cowes, was rejected by the Isle of Wight Planning Committee in July 2014. The developer, Penwood Developments Ltd, put a planning appeal into the Planning Inspectorate in December 2014.
Strong local objection
The local feeling against this planning application has been very strong, with nearly 500 comments left on the original planning application, as the Planning Inspector noted, is the highest for any planning application on the Isle of Wight.
The residents’ main concern was that the development took away green space from the area and starts to fill in the space between Cowes, Gurnard and Northwood, merging them into one.
Cllr Fuller: Gutted
Ward councillor for the area, Cllr Paul Fuller, told OnTheWight,
“I am absolutely gutted.
“From my point of view as local member, the decision of the Planning Committee to protect the Green Gap which separates Gurnard and Cowes and refuse on the grounds of settlement coalescence was robust.
“To go against this, in light of the Committees decision, and against the wishes of our communities who felt so passionately about this is a very sad reflection of HM Government’s Localism Agenda.”
Details of housing
The original application was for 99 houses on the seven hectares site. The adapted plan that was accepted included a mix of house styles including 23 bungalows, whilst 30 of the houses would be classed as ‘affordable’.
The Gurnard Housing Needs Assessment carried out in 2013 concluded there was a shortfall of 19 homes from local people over the next five years.
Inspector’s conclusion
The Planning Inspector specified eleven conditions and provided this conclusion:
The proposal would not significantly detract from the green gap between Cowes and Gurnard and would not lead to the inappropriate coalescence of settlements. As such, it would take place on “appropriate land” in accordance with Policy SP1. There are no other considerations to outweigh this finding or the compliance with the development plan. Consequently the proposed development is acceptable and the appeal should succeed.
Financial contribution
One ray of possible sunshine for residents is that the developer submitted a unilateral undertaking, including a financial contribution, to mitigate the impact of the development in the Solent Protection Area and in respect of affordable housing.
Previous protest – July 2014
Here’s a still form a video of residents showing their strength of feelings in July 2014.
The full Appeal findings
Article edit
Comment from Cllr Paul Fuller added.
