A green light was given to the partial conversion of a former dairy farm in Wellow at Tuesday’s Planning Committee meeting.
The development of Lee Farm, on Wellow’s Main Road, into 16 homes, would also provide a chunk of land towards the much-talked-about cycle path from Newport to the West Wight — known as the Greenway.
Planning committee to consider application
The Isle of Wight Council’s planning committee determined the application, submitted by Yarmouth mayor Steve Cowley, at its meeting tonight (Tuesday).
Planning officers have recommended the plan be approved, subject to a legal agreement and 19 various conditions.
MP: Of no benefit to the West Wight
While no statutory bodies objected, 36 residents railed against the plans, as well as Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Bob Seely.
Mr Seely highlighted the lack of affordable properties on the site, saying it was of no benefit to the West Wight and its young people while also ‘concreting over the countryside’.
Greenway land in lieu of affordable housing
According to council policy, housing developments on the Island of ten or more houses, should either provide properties as affordable or financially contribute to affordable housing schemes elsewhere.
However, officers say there is a unique set of circumstances that relate to this application, as it is able to provide a large section of the Greenway, while also delivering rural housing using brownfield land.
Construction costs met by landowner
The land will be given to the council to use in the Greenway and construction costs of the 1.75km part of the route will also be met by the landowner.
The affordable housing contribution, therefore, officers say, has been worked out at £27,120.
The current appearance of the site includes a complex of existing large bans, officers say are in a state of disrepair.
Within existing belt of hedgerows and trees
Officers acknowledge the development would result in a greater amount of built form in the area, but it would remain contained in the existing belt of hedgerows and trees that surround the site.
Although the development land is partially made up of farmland, the site, which sits on the edge of Wellow and Thorley, is technically brownfield after an appeal was upheld by the Planning Inspectorate.
Committee vote
Local councillor Peter Spink spoke in objection to the plans, but the planning committee voted eight in favour, none against and two abstentions.
Article edit
5.50pm 1st Mar 2022 – Article updated following Planning Committee
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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