Island Man Accused Of Undermining Planning Process With 'Premature' Demolition

An Isle of Wight parish council has slammed the ‘premature’ demolition of a house as undermining the planning process.

Nettlestone and Seaview Parish Council (NSPC) criticised Mark Pacy’s ‘misleading’ application to replace his home, Tamarisk, on Seaview’s Seagrove Manor Road, with a new property.

NSPC said the ‘premature’ demolition at the site sets an ‘inappropriate precedent’ for future applications.

Mr Pacy has sought a retrospective approval for the demolition.

After visiting Seagrove Manor Road this morning, the Local Democracy Reporting Service found a new half-built structure on the land.

Mr Pacy’s agent, James Quigley, said the proposed three-bedroom house is ‘in keeping with the aesthetics of the surrounding environment’.

A NSPC spokesperson said:

“The council notes the application contains misleading information, including references to the existing building which has already been demolished.

“The documentation implies that development is being proposed on a site with an existing structure which is not accurate.

“The proposed development will result in significant overlooking of neighbouring properties, particularly those in Sandcove Rise.

"The elevated positioning and orientation of the proposed structure do not adequately safeguard the privacy of adjacent homes and gardens.

“The design fails to consider the character and spacing of surrounding dwellings, and its implementation would constitute an unacceptable loss of residential amenity for nearby occupants.”

Mr Quigley said the plans would ‘form improved living accommodation with the introduction of mobility aids to improve accessibility and the energy efficiency of the building’.

“It is considered that these proposals represent a modest replacement of a dwelling that is in keeping with the aesthetics of the surrounding environment.

“The scale and mass of the proposals offers a sympathetic balance between the need for a more suitable home and preserving the character of the original dwelling.”

County Hall’s public consultation on application 25/00934/FUL finishes today (August 8) and a decision is scheduled for August 29.