A flats scheme in Ryde is back before planners, despite no changes being made since it was rejected two years ago.
A block of six flats on Nelson Street is set to be demolished if planning permission is approved for the latest attempt from a Mr G Whitby-Smith.
It would be replaced with 12 flats — ten one-bed, six of which would be socially rented, and two two-beds.
To be reviewed with ‘fresh eyes’
Acting on behalf of Mr Whitby-Smith, Ben Vernon of Nova Architectural has asked the application be reviewed in light of current events and looked at with ‘fresh eyes’.
He says other options for the building have been considered including renovation and conversion into a single home, but none are financially viable and the building falls deeper into a state of disrepair.
Approval was granted in 2011 to add three more flats, but that permission has lapsed.
Rejected in 2019
The current scheme was put forward to the Isle of Wight Council in 2019 but was rejected for six reasons — including having an adverse impact on neighbouring properties and failing to provide a good level of amenity for future occupiers based on its layout and design.
No changes have been made on the 2019 application apart from upping it from seeking outline permission to full permission.
Mr Vernon said they fully appreciated the proposal could be altered and its aim would be to see all serious and valid opinions for a scheme which ticks all boxes.
To view the plans (21/02054/FUL), you can visit the council’s planning register. Comments will be accepted until 24th December.
IR: Insufficient parking
Island Roads has so far commented on the plans to say it would have insufficient parking provision.
Despite being close to the centre of Ryde, a development of this nature should provide 12 car parking spaces, 12 bicycles spaces and bin storage.
Burden to on-street parking network
The proposal as it stands, however, would take away the very limited parking provision the flats currently have and not add any provision as a replacement.
The highways authority said more flats and a lack of parking would bring a further burden to the on-street parking network, which was already at saturation point.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is part of. Read here to find about more about how that scheme works on the Island. Some alterations and additions may have been made by News OnTheWight. Ed
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