Here’s the latest in the (less than) jolly long-running saga starring ‘property developer’ Michael Jennings and the Isle of Wight Planning department. You can catch-up with previous St Joseph’s, Ventnor episodes. This article contains editorial opinion based on personal experience with the Planning Department. Ed
Back in November 2008 when the Planning Committee heard the case of St Joseph’s Development in Madeira Road, Ventnor, they made it very clear that the misdemeanors of Michael Jennings, so called property developer of Ventnor, could continue no more.
Finally, after three years of battling to get someone, just anyone in the Planning Department to listen to problems on the site, we felt vindicated when the Councillors agreed that Michael Jennings needed to be made an example of – that his ‘do what you want and sort the legalities later’ approach to planning should be stopped.
Being the optimists that we are, we assumed that the planning department would carry out the wishes of the planning committee and Mr Jennings would receive enforcement notices prior to Christmas.
Oh dear, how naive of us.
Roof Garden To be Put Beyond Use – But It Hasn’t
We’ve had a myriad of concern over St Joseph’s, but the latest was that the roof garden to the flat directly next to us (Unit 12) be taken out of use as instructed by the planning committee and their department, a fact continually ignored by Michael Jennings.
The retrospective application to retain the unauthorised roof garden has now been refused THREE times by the planning department and even by the Planning Inspectorate.
It was made clear that the space should be taken out of use, so you might wonder why it is that over the last few days eastern European workman have been busy putting up a fence and building decking on the terrace?
We’re told by a neighbour, who lives on the development, that Jennings has new tenants moving in shortly, hence the desire to get use of the roof garden.
The members of the Planning Committee were very clear in their decision. The comments during the session were delivered with conviction and passion, so why is this developer being allowed to carry on as if nothing was ever discussed at Planning Committee?
Lack of Contact From Planning Department
At the beginning of the year we _tried_ to get in contact with the planning department to find out when the enforcement notice had been served and how long Jennings had to comply.
Sadly it took several emails from us and one month for a reply to come back to us.
When we raised the issue of the enforcement notice, it was ignored in a further two emails and we were eventually told by the case officer that ……
“I will be discussing the next steps with the planning enforcement officers and the new Development Manager, Phil Salmon.”
Despite directly asking twice, we are still unsure of whether the enforcement notice has actually been issued, but given the following reply from the case officer last week, we’re guessing not
“I will aim to send a letter out to the developer next week, at that point I will confirm to you what we will be requiring of the developer.”
It has been THREE MONTHS since the planning committee insisted that this developer is dealt with in the strictest of terms. With a full enforcement team in place, why has this not happened?
No Enforcement? Do What You Like
With a lack of enforcement action, it’s clear why some developers on the Island feel they can get away with whatever they like, cocking a snook and making a mockery of the Planning Committee.
In our experience the planning department might talk the talk on site visits or at official meetings, but they rarely walk the walk. That can’t be good for the Island can it?
Have you experienced something similar to this? If so, please get in touch.
