Plans Unveiled For 74 Homes On Former Sandham Middle School Site

A long-vacant former school site in Sandown could be transformed into a 74-home development under new plans revealed to residents last week.

Planning consultancy DPP held a public consultation at Browns Golf Course Café on Thursday (27 November) to showcase early proposals for the former Sandham Middle School site, which closed in 2011 and has remained empty since its demolition.

The draft plans, brought forward by developer Strategic Green Land, feature a mix of two, three and four-bedroom properties.

Around 65% would be market housing and 35% classed as affordable.

Vehicle access is proposed from The Fairway, with a new pedestrian and cycle link connecting to Perowne Way.

Landscaping and parking areas are also included.

Representatives from Sandown and Lake Football Club said the development would bring much-needed regeneration to an “abandoned area” and could boost player numbers and future funding for the club.

Nathan Slater, principal planner at DPP, said feedback so far had been “mixed”, with some residents concerned about the impact on existing trees and the overall scale of the project, while others welcomed new homes and supported the design.

He added that developers believe the site can accommodate 74 units and a planning application is expected to be submitted to the Isle of Wight Council in early 2026.

Sandown town councillor Paddy Lightfoot said the site’s redevelopment was “very welcome” but urged the developer to address calls for single-bed accommodation before submitting final plans.

Some residents, including Tom Patrick, criticised the short notice given for the consultation, with DPP later extending its comment deadline from 15 December to 11 January 2026.