A four -house scheme on the main road into Cowes has been rejected by the Isle of Wight Council’s planning committee as councillors feared it was an underdevelopment of the site.
Outline plans had been submitted by Alan and Ian Jones for four two-storey houses on Newport Road, in Northwood.
Previous proposals for the site called for five houses but have been revised to four.
Ward Cllr John Nicholson had called the application in to the planning committee and said Northwood has had more than its fair share of housing and questioned why was it necessary to add more, especially onto an ‘unspoilt location and onto a busy arterial highway’.
Cllr Nicholson said if the development was approved it would irreparably damage the greenfield and do nothing to benefit Northwood.
Cllr Chris Quirk said he was not a fan of green development anywhere and wondered if there had been any consideration to building homes more in line with the Island’s need on the site instead of the four, potentially three or four-bed houses.
He said it seemed to be underdevelopment of the site but the houses proposed were ‘prime’ for those retiring to the Island and not much use for young Islanders trying to set up home.
Cllr Quirk suggested four buildings with four maisonettes be built on the site instead which would support local housing.
Cllr Vanessa Churchman said while it may not be a material planning consideration, it is unnecessary housing and they might as well build the houses on top of Culver Down.
Planning team leader, Russell Chick, explained the need for housing across the Island and how the council falls under the presumption in favour of sustainable development.
He said while the proposed development was not in the settlement boundary, officers deem it sustainable and it was next to existing housing in the ‘key regeneration area’.
In the Island Plan, Mr Chick said, housing is encouraged to be built in the key regeneration area.
Cllr Quirk proposed rejection on the grounds of underdevelopment of the site, seconded by Cllr Geoff Brodie.
Members of the planning committee eligible to vote, unanimously voted to refuse planning permission.
Officers had suggested permission be granted with 15 conditions.
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