A public inquiry into an appealed planning application for a mixed use development by, and of, Fort Victoria Pier in Yarmouth, will begin today.
Hosted at County Hall over today and tomorrow, the inquiry will look into the proposal by Miles Blamire for five residential properties, a commercial fisheries pier, retail space and a “sea-to-fork” eatery.
The proposed development would “rejuvenate” Fort Victoria pier, a culturally significant piece of the Isle of Wight’s heritage, while encouraging the UK’s coastal food tourism, a “proven model” according to the application’s Design and Access Statement.
Economic benefits
Authored by rural property specialists, BCM, the document said,
“The economic benefits arising from such projects is exponential in the creation of skilled and vocational (and well paid) employment (direct and indirect), the generation of food provenance and a clear willingness to invest into the Island’s economy to act as a growing and leading destination.”
IWC: Development not considered to be suitably sustainable
Blamire’s proposal has however encountered opposition from the public and was refused planning permission in December 2023.
Justifying the refusal, the council said,
“The proposed development comprises housing in a location that is not considered to be suitably sustainable, would be subject to flooding and erosion and would have an adverse impact on the existing character of the locality.
“Insufficient details of the proposed commercial uses have been provided to demonstrate that they would be viable in the long term or provide overriding justification for the housing.
“The proposed ecological benefits have not been corroborated and there is insufficient information to demonstrate that the development would have no adverse impact upon the special features of European protected sites.”
FPC: Would “compromise” the appearance of the “iconic landmark”
Freshwater Parish Council unanimously objected to the application in a public comment published in September 2023.
Reasons given included that the proposal would “compromise” the appearance of the “iconic landmark” from both land and sea, the lack of any neighbourhood need for five big houses at a market value and considerable harm to the site’s heritage caused by the proportions of the development.
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
