Planners Reject 'Very Detrimental' Bid To Replace Garage With Two-Bedroom House

A bid to replace a garage with a two-bedroom home in an Isle of Wight seaside town has been turned down due to its ‘very detrimental impact’ on a neighbouring property.

Council officers refused Rotapoint Ltd’s revised proposal to demolish a garage at a site next to 11 Moorgreen Road in Cowes, replacing it with a semi-detached house.

A Planning Statement from the applicant’s agent, Phil Salmon Planning Ltd, pointed to a ‘significant and growing need’ for houses on the Island.

It said:

“Housing need on the Island has grown significantly whilst delivery of new homes has been very poor.

"National planning policy emphasises the need to provide new homes on brownfield sites in sustainable locations as the primary objective. Sites such as this need to come forward if aims are to be achieved.

“Given the improvements to the scheme, the revisions to design and layout, the balance is tipped firmly in favour of granting planning permission.”

The council rejected a previous scheme to replace the garage with a three-bedroom house in April last year.

Its decision report for the latest application said:

“The development would have a very detrimental impact on the residential amenities of No. 13 Moorgreen Road.

“The proximity of the proposed two storey dwelling from the southeast wall of No.13 Moorgreen Road would be overbearing, there would be a significant loss of light to habitable rooms and an almost complete loss of outlook.”

Planners also highlighted overlooking from Nos. 23 and 25 Albert Street onto the back of the proposed home, a lack of an affordable housing contribution and environmental concerns.