New tourism pods are coming to a popular Isle of Wight attraction — despite some councillors branding them ugly.
The Isle of Wight Council’s planning committee yesterday (Tuesday) approved Tapnell Farm’s plans — by eight votes to two — to replace bell tents with 32 pods, each with space for four beds.
There had been objections to the proposals saying it was an overdevelopment of the site, but councillors argued it would be good for tourism.
Cllr Matt Price said it would be a good thing as it would create more year-round jobs and he could see no negatives about the proposal.
Concerns had been raised about ‘almost non-existent’ disabled facilities.
The committee agreed prior to any pods being brought onto the site, accessibility measures should be agreed to ensure a portion of pods were useable for disabled people.
Cllr Vanessa Churchman commented on the appearance of the pods and said ‘they were the ugliest thing’ she had seen in a long time and did nothing for the farm.
She thought it would be better if Tapnell were to have hobbit homes as she found the square pods ‘very difficult to agree with’.
Speaking as the local representative, Cllr Peter Spink said some residents had concerns about whether it was desirable to put another 32 pods on the site, along with all the other attractions.
He also asked the council to ensure planning conditions were strictly enforced as he said some of the pods had already been constructed without planning permission when the council went on its site visit.
Cllr Spink also raised a separate concern about nitrate neutrality calculations, which he believed were wrong and would mean the development would be ‘nitrate positive, not neutral’ as it should be.
Developers are obliged to ensure the amount of nutrient pollution entering watercourses does not increase as a result of new developments.
Planning officers will now seek to clarify the figures and if they are found to be flawed, no decision would be issued and the application would come back before the committee.
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