Controversial Isle Of Wight House Conversion Bid Resurfaces

A controversial Isle of Wight house conversion bid has resurfaced.

Plan Research submitted a new planning application to County Hall for a conversion within Hurstleigh – a large villa-style property on The Broadway, Totland.

The consultancy’s latest proposal is to convert two existing flats into four one-bedroomed units, described as ‘relatively affordable housing for starter homes’.

It also includes a ‘very small extension’ on the property’s rear porch.

Previous, withdrawn plans to convert the building sparked a public outcry after an existing tenant, Enya Dunn-Green, said they would render her ‘homeless along with her extended family’.

An objection from Totland Parish Council’s cited concerns over vehicle and emergency service access to the site and neighbouring properties, parking provision and costs and the proposed extension ‘resulting in a significant loss of daylight, sunlight and privacy for adjacent residents’.

Plan Research’s Design and Access Statement for the new proposal says:

“This scheme would create relatively affordable housing for starter homes, or properties for those wishing to downsize.

“There have been several previous permissions for conversions to four flats at this property, as the council has consistently agreed that the property is suitable for conversion.

“Unlike previous schemes, the current application does not propose on-site parking spaces, as this would require the loss of the front garden area. It also does not propose a large rear extension.

“With this in mind, we have demonstrated within a parking survey that there is sufficient vehicle parking available in the nearby car park and on the roads in the area.”

A public consultation on application 25/00687/FUL ends on June 20 and a decision is expected on July 11.