Plans for treehouses, safari lodges and tiny homes, all part of plans unveiled for an ‘eco-friendly retreat’ near Yarmouth last month, have attracted more than 70 comments in support.
The glamping proposal for ‘The Woodlands’, next to Lucketts Farm at Lee Copse, has also attracted 20 objections, with a variety of reasons given such as disruption to wildlife, inappropriate setting, over development and more.
Irreplaceable ancient woodland habitat
Helen Butler MBE from the Wight Squirrel Project has objected in the strongest terms to the proposals. She says the increased impact of more visitors to the site would disturb the habitat and the species living within it.
She explains that the “irreplaceable ancient woodland habitat which provides food and shelter for protected species, including red squirrels, bats and dormice” is under great risk.
Illegal to disturb the resting places of protected species
Citing the Wildlife and Countryside Act, she says it’s illegal to disturb the resting places of protected species and claims the amount of heavy development would contravene these laws.
Ms Butler goes on to say she believes the development would “inevitably harm the woodland and protected species and is not an ‘exceptional circumstance’ or ‘in the public interest'”.
She also points to the importance of retaining UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status and protecting endangered and protected species.
73 supporting, 20 against
The application has been submitted by Alan Short and Simon Hirst of Acorn Properties IOW.
At time of publishing there had been 94 comments had been received. This includes the 20 objections, but more than three times that (73) wrote in support of the scheme.
View the plans
You can view the plans on the council’s planning portal (22/00713/FUL).
The public consultation runs until 2nd September 2022.
