Back at the end of last month, OnTheWight revealed the latest plans for the Le Veness site on Ventnor’s seafront.
The application was open to comments from the public and to date has attracted eleven letters of objection, with just one supporter, the Ventnor Town Council (VTC).
Much of Ventnor is now a Conservation Area, which was not in place when many years ago permission was given for a six-storey building on the same plot.
Impact on the street scene
The majority of the objections raised by residents point towards the height and density of the building, with one neighbour calling the plans an “unacceptable eyesore”.
This computer generated image below (click to see larger version), has been put together by a qualified engineer (who has a love for the Victorian seafront) based on the information provided in the application.
It shows how the street scene would look from the east if the development is approved and constructed.
Range of objections
Too dominant, overbearing, not in keeping with the Conservation Area, risk of landslide and ground stability issues, blocking out sunlight for nearby properties and a loss of the ‘established aesthetic’ of the ‘open sweeping vista of small chalets and Victorian buildings cascading down to the shore line’, are all genuine concerns raised by residents.
One resident likened the design of the proposed roof of the building to “Donald Trump’s hairstyle or an Audi garage”.
Neutral views
Jack Whitewood from Ventnor Exchange made it clear his views on the plans were neutral, but asked planners to,
“Make note that long established events like the Fringe host events on Ventnor Esplanade and new residential developments should note this area is mixed use with a wide variety of business’ amongst residential properties.”
VTC decision
One resident expressed to OnTheWight their bafflement at the Ventnor Town Council’s (VTC) swift approval for the scheme.
Although the application was not being advertised to the public until Friday 29th November, it was considered by the VTC planning committee the night before, just hours after a site notice was erected.
A spokesperson for the VTC told OnTheWight,
“Our Committee’s process is that the Isle of Wight Council’s website is checked for new applications each Friday and meetings arranged to ensure that all are considered by the Committee before the expiry date.
“In this instance, it would have been possible to consider the Le Veness application later than the 28 November but we had no reason to believe that to be necessary as we were not aware until the day before the meeting of the date of the Isle of Wight Council’s notice going up.”
‘Late’ site notice
In response to queries from other residents about the ‘late’ arrival of the site notice, a spokesperson from Isle of Wight council explained that site notices are placed at or near to the site of an application by the Friday that it is advertised.
In this case the application was being advertised on 29th November, with a 21 day consultation period for residents to share their comments.
Have your say
There is still time to add your comments on the application by visiting the Isle of Wight council’s Planning Website.
Search under reference number 19/01377/FUL to add you comment before 20th December.
Article edit
19:10 – Comment from VTC Spokesperson added
