It was with a ‘heavy heart’ that Isle of Wight councillors approved the retrospective development of the Atherfield Bay Holiday Camp last night (Tuesday).
However, they criticised the lack of planning enforcement.
Multiple applications were granted up to 2017 to transform the dilapidated holiday camp into the exclusive Sandy Lanes holiday home community.
Since new developers, Interguide IOW, took over, however, work on the site had deviated from approved plans.
Speaking on behalf of Interguide at last night’s (Tuesday) planning committee meeting, consultant Andrew White said the changes were made to make all areas fully accessible, without being detrimental to the surrounding area.
Ward councillor Steve Hastings told the committee the footprint of the buildings would increase by more than 1,800sqm, or 25 per cent, and was such a significant amendment he questioned how the plans could be considered as minor changes.
Russell Chick, planning officer, explained the expansion had to be put into perspective with the size of the scheme, so in this case, as the development boundary and number of units had not changed, officers considered a ‘minor amendments’ application was suitable.
The committee rejected Cllr Chris Jarman’s motion to reject the application on the grounds it was not minor.
It had been agreed when permission was granted that the money — a Section 106 agreement — be paid before work started but, four years on from the last approved planning permission, it had still not been paid.
Cllr Jarman said he was appalled the council found themselves in this situation and was astonished nothing had been done to stop it.
Cllr Matt Price said this application had gone too far without approval.
Chair of planning, Cllr Michael Lilley said the committee was uncomfortable with the position it was being put in.
Cllr Chris Quirk said the council lacked power to punish the developers.
The retrospective planning permission was granted — with five councillors in favour, two against with one abstention — but hardened conditions, to increase the section 106 contribution towards the rights of way by 50 per cent (to £30,000), ensure the money is fully paid before the site can be occupied, and a significant uplift in the scheme’s landscaping.
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