Councillors Raise Concerns Over 'Much-Needed' Wootton Bridge Housing

Questions were asked of a proposal for nine ‘much-needed’ three-bedroom houses on land in a large Isle of Wight village at a parish council meeting yesterday (Tuesday).

Wootton Bridge councillors, including County Hall representative Sarah Redrup, raised concerns over Tradeamp Ltd’s application for three-bedroom homes on land next to 115 Station Road.

The developer’s plans include four bungalows, five ‘chalet style houses’, ‘improved vehicle access’ and ‘informal pedestrian crossing points’, according to a Planning, Design and Access Statement prepared by Phil Salmon Planning Ltd.

Cllr Redrup said:

“In the housing survey for Wootton, three-bedroom houses are not what we need – it’s more one, two beds – and that was a similar point we made in another planning application.

“We need to push for more affordable accommodation in Wootton.”

Wootton Bridge Parish Council chair Barry Abraham agreed, adding:

“We are getting very little land now that’s left in the centre or close to the centre of the village. It then becomes more difficult for people who want single bed property.

“None of them (referencing planning applications) actually meet the needs of young people, the people that would provide the children for our local primary schools, which is why primary schools are closing.

“We’re not having enough property for younger people to move into.”

Phil Salmon Planning said:

“The site already benefits from planning permission for the conversion of a building (115 Station Road) from seven flats into two dwellings (now implemented) and the construction of five detached dwellings, a new vehicular access, roadway and new footpath.

“This new application seeks to provide for additional much-needed housing, making use of the approved access, but proposing a new layout to create a sense of place, and which reflects the existing layout context set by surrounding development, notably Park View and Glendale Close, accessed from Station Road.

“There is no material harm in granting planning permission for the scheme given that there would be no adverse impacts, whilst landscaping measures would enhance the site within the surrounding rural area.

“The application provides for significant enhancement to highways safety and access to public transport. It also offers real opportunity for enhanced biodiversity.”

County Hall’s public consultation on the proposal finishes on April 22 and a decision is expected on May 13.