163 Homes Could Be Built Near Cowes As Plans Conditionally Approved

Up to 163 homes and a commercial development could be built on the outskirts of an Isle of Wight town.

County Hall has accepted Mr and Mrs Biles’ outline application for a mixed-use development on land to the south of Somerton Industrial Park next to Newport Road in Cowes.

The approval is conditional and subject to ‘appropriate mitigation’ which the council has said can be secured by a Section 106 Agreement and conditions.

A Section 106 Agreement is a legal contract between a developer and a council to mitigate the effects of a development proposal.

The applicants have signed a Section 106 with the council that includes an affordable housing contribution, Habitat Enhancement Plan, Communal Areas Management Plan, Cycleway Link and Habitat Mitigation Contribution.

Landscaping and the appearance, layout and scale of the development will be considered with a subsequent reserved matters application.

A statement from the Biles’ agent, the Andrew White Planning Consultancy, said:

“Although not defined until the Approval of Reserved Matters stage, the site could deliver in the region of 163 homes along with some 4,200 square metres of employment floor space, making a significant contribution to addressing the housing supply shortage and assisting with sustained economic growth by allowing businesses to expand and for jobs to be created.

“The new homes will be designed to a high quality and there will be a range of unit types and sizes.

“Significantly, 35 per cent of the new homes will be affordable homes, all designed to be indistinguishable from private market housing.

“This will assist in creating a mixed and balanced community.”

Planners received 62 objecting comments during two public consultation periods, with five in support.

Grounds of opposition included there not being a need for additional housing in Cowes, greenspace loss with brownfield land being available, a lack of school places, tourism impacts and the development being ‘ugly’.

Issues raised in Cowes Town Council’s objection included a loss of farmland, existing infrastructure not being able to cope and increases in traffic.

Northwood Parish Council also submitted an objection which included traffic concerns.

Planners’ decision report for application 22/01720/OUT said:

“The Planning Authority considers that the development would result in moderate economic benefits, with moderately adverse environmental impacts that would be outweighed by the significant social benefits brought through the delivery of housing, including a policy compliant level of affordable housing, and employment within a sustainable location.”