Fire Training Facility Approved At Farm Near Cowes Despite Objections

Plans for a new fire training facility on farmland near Cowes have been approved by the Isle of Wight Council, despite attracting almost 50 objections from residents.

The council has granted permission to Flying Fish UK for a change of use on land at Cockleton Farm, located on the outskirts of Cowes and Gurnard.

The scheme includes the creation of an enclosed compound and the installation of containers to support fire training activities.

Planning officers said the development would allow the business to diversify while not causing unacceptable harm to neighbouring properties or the surrounding area.

A total of 47 letters of objection were submitted, with concerns raised over noise, smoke, visual impact, ecology and what some residents described as over-development of the rural site.

However, planners concluded the proposal would not result in an unacceptable level of air pollution and said the site was large enough to accommodate the facility without being over-developed.

The approval is subject to 12 planning conditions covering issues including highway safety, environmental protection, residential amenity and measures to minimise disturbance from smoke and odour.

Among those objecting were local residents Wendy and Philip Chapman, who argued the development could lead to the "industrialisation" of a rural area and warned it was almost "an accident waiting to happen".