Freshwater Housing Development Faces Wave Of Objections Ahead Of Council Decision

Isle of Wight planners are being urged to reject plans for a 127-home development near Freshwater, after more than 60 objections were submitted to the council.

Tallulah Estates has submitted a revised outline application for the proposed estate on land next to Camp Road, following the refusal of a previous scheme in November 2024.

The latest plans are due to be decided by the Isle of Wight Council on 23 January.

Objectors have raised a wide range of concerns, including the impact on wildlife, increased traffic, pressure on local infrastructure, flood risk, drainage, and what they describe as a lack of genuinely affordable housing.

The developer’s agent, Andrew White Planning Consultancy, has said the scheme would deliver 35 per cent affordable housing, with homes designed to a high standard and offering a mix of sizes and types.

Local residents have voiced strong opposition.

Freshwater resident Karen Ferris urged the council to protect green spaces and focus development on brownfield sites.

She said there were already enough homes in areas without sufficient infrastructure and warned that more housing could lead to properties being empty for much of the year.

Concerns over traffic have also been raised by residents living nearby.

Andrew Haisell, who lives on Camp Road, said the road and surrounding lanes were not designed to cope with a significant increase in vehicles, highlighting narrow sections and limited pedestrian pathways.

Other objections refer to the loss of agricultural land, impacts on dark skies, archaeological concerns, and ecological damage through habitat loss.

Clare Everett, from Freshwater’s New Village, said the site supports a wide range of wildlife, including bats, slow worms, amphibians, and pollinating insects, and warned the development would have a “devastating impact”.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England’s Isle of Wight branch has also objected.

Chair Edward Nicholson said the plans fail to demonstrate how the development would enhance the area’s character and would result in the loss of important landscape views.

Freshwater Parish Council has submitted a formal objection, warning the development would worsen an already overstretched traffic situation, reduce road safety, and hinder access for emergency and refuse vehicles.

Further concerns have been raised by Natural England, which said insufficient information had been provided by the applicant.

The government adviser also noted that the Habitats Regulations Assessment was prepared by the developer rather than the council.

Freshwater South county councillor Becca Cameron said this raised serious concerns, warning that adopting a flawed assessment could leave the council open to legal challenge.

In response, Andrew White Planning Consultancy said there is an “undeniable need” for both market and affordable housing.

The firm said technical reports show the development would not overwhelm local infrastructure or cause significant harm to the environment, and that issues raised during the 2024 refusal have now been fully addressed.

Public consultation on application 25/01505/OUT closed on 28 November.