We could be waiting at least another six months for a formal decision about the controversial Love Lane application in Bembridge.
According to local councillor Joe Robertson, the applicants submitting further “tree information” for their two-holiday cottages in protected woodland is the reason for the delay to the outcome.
As previously reported by Isle of Wight Radio, a decision about the application - which has attracted more than 300 objections - will now be made by the Government’s Planning Inspectorate.
It is after the Isle of Wight Council missed the deadline on 5 April, despite the application being validated by the local planning authority in February.
Councillor Joe Robertson, who has been a key figure in campaigning against the development, says the planning applicants submitted further information “because they didn’t accept some of the objections raised by the tree officer.”
He exclusively revealed to Isle of Wight Radio:
“The Isle of Wight Council Planning Officers said yes you can submit further information and knowing that that would take it over the deadline all parties agreed to await the outcome of the Isle of Wight Council’s decision - even though that would be after the deadline.
“I am told the applicants subsequently attempted to appeal for ‘non determination’ because the deadline had been missed. But the officers were clear that it was agreed they would look at the new tree information if the applicant would wait for a decision - which appears not to have happened."
Cllr Robertson says he has followed up with the planning department that an appeal has been lodged as it is not yet being shown on the Isle of Wight Council’s website.
The Government website says appeals can take up to six months.
Councillor Robertson has been speaking exclusively to Isle of Wight Radio, he said:
“I want to say the Isle of Wight Council has since published its report and what its decision would have been which is a refusal - we already know that and it has given some very concrete reasoning for that and the Planning Inspectorate will have sight of that report, so will not be starting with a blank sheet but lots of information including the report from the Isle of Wight Council.”
The local authority said it would have refused permission for the lodges, citing issues including the impact on the character of the area, on nearby properties, the ecology and trees.
Planning agent Martha James of Plan Research has been approached for a comment.
The Isle of Wight Council has been approached for a comment.
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