Plans For Niton Homes Facing 'Resistance' From The Public

A proposal for four ‘much-needed’ new homes in an Isle of Wight village is facing resistance from members of the public.

Planners have so far received 16 objections to Domusea Developments’ plans for four semi-detached houses with an access road, parking, community open space and landscaping off Allotment Road in Niton.

The developer’s agent, Andrew White Planning Consultancy, previously said the homes would make a ‘significant’ contribution towards affordable housing and addressing the Island’s housing supply shortage.

Application 25/00865/FUL includes one two-bedroom bungalow and three three-bedroom chalets with each property benefiting from a ‘good size, private’ back garden.

According to Companies House, a firm called Domusea Developments is currently in liquidation.

Concerns raised with the plans include an increased risk of flooding, nearby listed buildings, highway and pedestrian safety, the proposed community space’s maintenance, ‘added stress’ to water management and sewage infrastructure and road surface damage.

Other grounds of opposition include the development’s pressure on GP services, the proposed homes not meeting local or Island housing needs, adverse environmental impacts, protecting the village’s character and the loss of open space.

Niton and Whitwell Parish Council said the proposal would lead to ‘overdevelopment’ of the area and questioned the need for more homes in the ‘price bracket’ of those proposed.

A spokesperson said:

“The development infringes onto a bridleway entrance; this bridleway is used as a safe route to and from the school and the village. Flooding problems already existing near the site would be exacerbated onto neighbouring properties. The development is close to listed buildings with inherent risks.”

Andrew White Planning Consultancy said:

“The proposed housing development would inevitably alter the appearance of the site, through changing it from a paddock to a small housing development.

“However, given the amount and type of surrounding buildings, topography and the established vegetation along many of the boundaries the proposed dwellings would not appear dominating or out of place but would principally be seen within the context of surrounding housing.

“The proposed dwellings have been very tastefully designed reflecting cottagey architecture, using materials that display local distinctiveness and incorporating attention to detail.”

County Hall’s public consultation on the application ends on September 1 and a decision is due on October 29.