Dozens of residents in the village of Bonchurch have submitted their objection to plans for the restoration of East Dene as a boutique hotel and wellness retreat, incorporating a number of woodland holiday lodges.
Village residents have raised concerns about the potential of increased traffic through the narrow winding roads of Bonchurch, and what they say would be the subsequent risk to pedestrians.
Although many residents said they would support a sympathetic restoration of East Dene as a small boutique hotel, many expressed concern about the destruction of the woodland habitat to make way for the 16 new holiday lodges and the risk to land stability of removing trees.
Plans for wellness retreat
The former children’s activity centre closed in 2020, due to the pandemic, but could be given a new lease of life as a wellness retreat under its new owners, Wonder Wellbeing.
Traffic concerns
While the overall development has been branded as ‘inappropriate for the village’, a bigger fear is that more visitors to East Dene would burden the quaint highways infrastructure.
Residents say there are already issues with the current levels of traffic which is exacerbated in the summer when tourists and those unfamiliar with the area get stuck.
“Risk of accidents”
If the plans are approved, one resident said the risk of accidents would rise substantially and generate noise and air pollution.
Another said,
“Bonchurch Village Road is narrow and Bonchurch Shute with the sharp left turn down to East Dene simply couldn’t cope with the constant flow of traffic.
“It would make the life of all local residents unbearable and ruin the quiet beautiful village.”
The junction leading down to East Dene was also called very challenging and would become very dangerous for the amount of pedestrians who access the beach that way.
Residents say driving around the village requires patience, care and caution, but the proposals would cause harm to highway and pedestrian safety.
Classed as an hotel?
Island Roads, the Isle of Wight council’s highway authority, has also raised concerns depending on whether or not East Dene was previously used as a hotel, which many residents seem to think it was not.
It was previously a private home, a convent, an educational holiday centre and a wedding venue.
Island Roads said if it is classed as an hotel, there are no sustainable grounds to refuse the application due to precedent.
IR: Reject if not an hotel
If it is not an hotel, however, Island Roads has recommended multiple reasons it should be rejected including the significant increase in traffic, inadequate access width and visibility and inadequate pedestrian connectivity on Bonchurch Shute, Bonchurch Village Road and St Boniface Road.
It also says there is insufficient parking provision.
An overflow car park is planned for a field near the old church, accessed down a narrow lane.
View the plans
You can view the plans, 22/02249/FUL, on the IW council’s planning register.
The public consultation ends on 6th February 2023.
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
