A Ryde farmhouse troubled by trespassers and vandalism will now be demolished, despite an objection from a nearby resident.
Smallbrook Developments Limited applied to the Isle of Wight council for planning permission to demolish the Prestwood Grange Farmhouse off Smallbrook Lane due to recent disturbances.
Five years to carry out the work
The company’s application form said the structure would be ‘dismantled by hand and machinery’, with materials from the building being taken to a salvage yard or waste site following the demolition.
Smallbrook Developments must carry out the works within five years of County Hall’s granting of prior approval on Tuesday, according to a council decision notice.
Bats
The document added however,
“If any protected species such as bats are found to be occupying the site during the demolition works, all works must cease immediately, and an ecologist should be consulted to discuss what action needs to be taken to comply with relevant legislation.”
Very poor state of repair and been vacant for some time
Explaining the decision, an Officer Written Justification report said the existing building does not have any ‘particular architectural value or interest’ and at present ‘detracts from the character of the area’.
It said,
“It is in a very poor state of repair and has been vacant for some time, the site forming part of a larger parcel of land which has previously had outline consent for residential development.
“The application form indicates that the area will be left as hard standing.
“An extensive range of ecology surveys has been carried out including bat surveys.
“Although this application has not been submitted with the survey results, a letter from the ecologist has been submitted which confirms that no bats have been recorded using the property.
“The planning ecologist has considered this document and is satisfied with the information submitted.”
Ryde Town Council did not object to the application, but asked that the building, said to sit on land identified for ‘major housing development’, is not demolished until an ‘expected’ Pennyfeathers housing development application is submitted.
Wade: There are too many semi-derelict buildings in the near vicinity
A resident of the nearby Great Preston Road, Jenny Wade, did however file an objection.
She said,
“Until the pending new planning application for Pennyfeathers (housing development) is submitted and determined this building should remain on site and fully restored, to enable a family on the housing list to live there.
“There are too many semi-derelict buildings in the near vicinity, also owned by this developer, that are currently empty and abandoned, which could and should be brought back into use.”
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
