Another major housing development could be approved in Gunville as it comes before planners for a second time.
The outline application for more than a hundred houses — although no specific number has been set yet — was first discussed by the Isle of Wight Council’s planning committee last year.
Concerns over pedestrian safety
Concerns over pedestrian safety and highway improvements at the site on Gunville Road, next to the former Friends of the Animals Charity Shop, put forward by Gallantgreen, saw the scheme sent away with requests for further information.
The planning committee asked about opening Taylor Road, which would connect Gunville to Carisbrooke and Newport, via Wellington Road, cutting out the Waverley roundabout.
Suggestions from Committee
They also suggested removing the traffic pinch point and replacing it with a zebra crossing, although it was suggested a raised bump and controlled pedestrian crossing could be used.
Now, in a report to the committee, the issues have tried to be addressed.
Zebra crossing ‘only feasible’ solution
A highway consultant, on behalf of Gallantgreen, said no other alternative crossing arrangement, other than the original zebra crossing, would be feasible or desirable.
The option of a raised bump has been ruled out, as Island Roads said it was considered to be an unnecessary hazard to buses, emergency service vehicles and cyclists.
Officers: ‘Unreasonable’ to require Taylor Road to be opened
It was considered ‘unreasonable’ by officers to require Taylor Road to be opened as it currently provides a safe route to school and would compromise pedestrian safety.
The best option to improve safety, officers suggest, would be a separate pedestrian and cycling link from the east of the site (towards Carisbrooke College) through to Taylor Road.
They say it would represent a significant planning gain, improving pedestrian and cycle connectivity as well as providing links to the proposed West Wight cycle track.
Zebra crossing considered most appropriate option
Overall, the report says, Island Roads and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary consider the zebra crossing, together with the pedestrian and cycle link, would be the most appropriate option.
Officers continue to recommend the site for approval but the final decision will be made by the planning committee on Tuesday.
Detailed plans to come later
As it is an outline application, only the access could be approved at this stage with a further application necessary to determine the layout, scale and appearance.
Recently, on the other side of Gunville Road, another infill development of 149 houses has been approved by the council.
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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