Revised plans seeking planning permission to build up to 50 new dwellings on Puckpool Hill are now open to public consultation.
The original application in 2020, for outline planning permission, attracted more than 100 comments from the public, the vast majority opposing the plans to build on this greenfield land on the outskirts of Ryde.
Latest application “fails to answer concerns”
One resident, who lives on Puckpool Hill, told News OnTheWight they believe the latest application fails to answer concerns over road congestion, road safety, flooding and the wildlife impact.
They argue it doesn’t consider the impact of this development on top of that of Harcourt Sands (128 houses plus 62 bed hotel) – situated just across the road.
“A dangerous and congested junction”
The Puckpool Hill resident told News OnTheWight,
“There is currently no safe way to cross the road or walk up and down the road, therefore residents would be car dependent.
“I believe the increased traffic from Harcourt Sands opposite, and the cars from the proposed 50 houses would create a dangerous and congested junction on a narrow and steep road with poor visibility.
“The proposed entrance is on a blind bend and is dangerous.”
They add that the revised plans include a survey of current road use with the design based on these findings, arguing this is fails to take into consideration the impact of Harcourt Sands development.
Flooding risk
Many residents also previously cited concerns about flooding in the area. One Puckpool Hill resident told News OnTheWight,
“The spring at the top of Puckpool Hill today already creates a flood risk (see here).
“The plans to dig up much needed green space as soakaways will increase the flood risk to properties on the hill and Springvale Road including The Boathouse that was flooded last year.
“I believe that the run off from the site, which is higher than the road, will create a fast flowing river.”
Detrimental impact on wildlife
In addition to the above issues, some groups on the Island have also expressed concerns about the wildlife on the greenfield site.
The Isle of Wight Bat Group, in their opposition, raise several points including concerns for the Grey Long Eared bats, which they believe are present on the site. They say that the Grey Long Eared bat is under significant threat in the UK as whole, and that the Isle of Wight is one of the last real strongholds for this species.
Others express their worries that any mitigation measures to protect the wildlife will prove irrelevant, as dormice, badgers, buzzards, owls, red squirrels and other species which live in or regularly use this site will have no neighbouring sites to move to whist major engineering works are undertaken and would be unlikely to return.
View the plans
You can view the plans on the council’s planning portal (20/01733/OUT).
The public consultation runs until Wednesday 5th May.
