Gunville Housing Plans Rejected Over "Nightmare" Traffic

Plans for 149 homes in Gunville were rejected last night (Tuesday) due to ‘inadequate’ access to the development and the wider impact on highways.

Local developers DN Associates made the hybrid application, comprising outline plans for 113 houses and full plans for 36, would have bridged the gap behind the already existing development on Arthur Moody Drive and Forest Hills and recently approved and built developments.

The proposed layout of the site with the two exits onto Arthur Moody Drive and Forest Hills which will funnel to Broadwood Lane. (Image: Andrew E Hitt)

Going against officer recommendation, the Isle of Wight Council’s planning committee argued the single point of access for the old and the new estate leading to Broadwood Lane was ‘completely inappropriate’.

Cllr Vanessa Churchman said she was worried about how adequate the access was into the existing development, let alone adding to it.

She said:

“I cannot understand how traffic coming out of that exit (onto Gunville Road) would cause nothing but a traffic jam. It must currently be a nightmare … adding houses is totally wrong.”

Speaking on behalf of residents, Sue Cook objected for a number of reasons, saying the potential effects would be truly devastating.

Andrew White, on behalf of the applicant, pointed out the Isle of Wight Council had failed to meet its housing targets and as such is under the presumption in favour of sustainable development, so the council should only turn down applications for new housing if there was significant or demonstrable harm that would outweigh the benefits.

Mr White said modelling suggested the development would only add four car lengths to the queues down Carisbrooke High Street at the peak afternoon time.

The site in Gunville set for nearly 150 houses. (Picture: Isle of Wight Council)

This would not be a strong highways safety reason for refusal.

Island Roads objected to plans for the 113 houses due to the negative impact it would have on the wider highways network, especially at the Waverley roundabout at the top of Carisbrooke High Street.

Highways engineer, Alan Ransom, said the junction would be exceeding, capacity in four years, before any more developments were approved.

There was nothing that could be done to improve it.

If the application were to be approved, Mr Ransom said it would only exacerbate the capacity issue.

Cllr Matthew Price, who proposed the motion to refuse the scheme, said he was struggling to see how they were considering Browadwood Lane as access for an extra 150 houses.

Strategic manager for planning and infrastructure delivery, Ollie Boulter, said the council has been trying to find a more holistic highways solution in the area.

Gunville from above showing Broadwood Lane as the only exit. (Picture: Google Maps)

On the outline plans for 113 houses, all eligible committee councillors voted to reject the development, on the grounds vehicle movements would result in significantly adverse effects on the capacity of the highways network and construction traffic would compromise the residential amenity.

Councillors were split, however, on the full permission for 36 homes, with some arguing the smaller development would provide homes the Island needs.

Cllr Chris Quirk proposed approval of the 36, with Cllr Geoff Brodie seconding but he said he was not absolutely convinced with the application.

The proposal fell 6-3.

Cllr Price proposed to refuse the application on the same grounds as the 113 houses but was advised Island Roads had not objected to this part of the development.

Cllr Michael Lilley said he voted against the first part as there was clear evidence that was defendable but for the 36 houses felt it was more questionable.

The second application was also rejected, however, with the votes split six and three again — Cllrs Brodie, Churchman, Price, Claire Critchison, Rodney Downer and Martin Oliver in favour of rejecting the development and Cllrs Lilley, Quirk and Michael Beston against.