An extension to a cliff tunnel — which runs underneath a path in Lake and emerges as part of the cliff face overlooking the Bay — has been approved by the Isle of Wight Council.
It comes after fears of cliff instability were rejected by the planning authority, after they consulted an expert who said the plans would be ‘extremely unlikely to affect cliff stability.’
The private eight-metre tunnel was built in the early 1900s from 2 Cliff Path and was originally intended to connect straight from the house’s basement.
However, that was never completed.
Instead, an access point was built into the garden via a ‘dilapidated timber staircase’ say structural engineers Such, Salinger, Peters (SSP).
The part of the tunnel running under Cliff Path is already in place and, planning agent Phil Salmon, acting on behalf of applicant Mr R Dance, said it was ‘essentially a domestic extension’, as it would connect the tunnel from the garden to the basement.
The proposed extension raised concerns with residents that it would risk cliff stability though.
Local ward representative, Cllr Tig Outlaw, said the tunnel’s integrity was not in question but that of the cliff and feared anything that interferes with the cliff would have a damaging effect.
One commenter who agreed with the plans said the extension would provide a much better solution that the current tunnel entrance, which holds water.
They agreed with the structural engineers SSP and said it could only improve cliff stability in the long term.
Overall, eight letters of objection were received compared to 11 of support.
In its decision report, released earlier this week, the Isle of Wight Council said it had given due weight and consideration to comments it received and approved the application.
The council noted the extension would not affect the global stability of the cliff and the closing of the current tunnel entrance would remove the potential for water collection and subsequent subterranean flow which could have an adverse impact.
The council instructed a consultant engineer to review the information submitted as part of the application and they found there was no reason why the proposal should not be approved due to ground stability as it was ‘extremely unlikely to the stability of the cliff.’
The engineer went on to advise the tunnel excavation — which appears to have already started — should be supported at all times.
Officers said there would be no visual harm as the extension once completed would be within the ground and not visible to the public
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