New Apartments For Ryde Seafront Building

Two new apartments will be installed in an historic three-storey building on an Isle of Wight seafront.

Ian Fern’s proposed works scheme at Ryde’s Prince Consort at 19 St Thomas Street, including a refurbishment of its lower ground floor offices, alterations and an upper ground floor conversion to create two flats has been accepted.

Formerly the Royal Victoria Yacht Club House, the Grade II listed structure was built in 1846.

The Prince Consort’s upper and lower ground floors are currently vacant, according to a submitted statement from Mr Fern’s agent, the Andrew White Planning Consultancy.

It says:

“The proposed development will bring this historic building back into use and ensure its continued survival. The approval of the conversion of the upper ground floor will bring two additional units of residential development into the overall housing stock of the Island where there is currently an under-delivery.

“The scheme will ensure there is no substantial harm to the listed building, its setting or the setting of nearby listed buildings. Similarly, there will be no harm to the historic character and appearance of the designated conservation area.”

Mr Fern’s proposed flats are two and three bedroomed and each include a lobby, open plan kitchen/living room and a bathroom.

Ryde Town Council supported application 25/00894/FUL.

Isle of Wight Council’s decision report said the proposal would bring a ‘significant building’ back into use and ‘ensure its longevity’.

“It is considered that the development proposed would result in an element of harm, but this harm is less than substantial. The development proposal would have appropriate regard to the flood risk to the site and would minimise risk to life and property.

“There is adequate on-site car parking to service the proposed residential units. In addition, the building is immediately adjacent to a long-stay public car park and in close proximity to another.”

In addition, the report says the applicant has entered into a legal agreement with the council to pay affordable housing and Solent Special Protection Area mitigation monetary contributions.

It also attached 11 conditions to the approval for reasons of legal and planning policy compliance, reducing the risk and impact of flooding, protecting the building’s fabric and ensuring development is ‘in keeping’ with Prince Consort’s setting.