A DECISION to allow seven homes to be built on a greenfield site in Apse Heath has been called in by the Isle of Wight's planning committee.

Following 36 letters of objections, including from CPRE IW, the local parish council and the Isle of Wight's MP, the ward councillor Cllr Clare Mosdell is asking her fellow councillors to decide the fate of the application.

Connie Bentley wants to build three bungalows and a pair of semi-detached houses in a field behind existing houses on Ventnor Road, Apse Heath, forming a new cul-de-sac.

Isle of Wight County Press: An impression of the site. Picture: Andrew White Planning Consultancy.An impression of the site. Picture: Andrew White Planning Consultancy.

Despite a recommendation of conditional approval from the council's planning officers, Cllr Mosdell has called the decision before the committee, which will meet next Tuesday (December 8), because it would be built on a greenfield site, there is no on-site affordable housing provision and it would not benefit the area.

Objectors echoed Cllr Mosdell's comments, with Newchurch Parish Council and the Island's MP Bob Seely also responding, siting issues with vehicular access, that the development would be car-dependent and building on greenfield sites when other areas should be used first.

Only one letter of support was received from a resident who commented on the idyllic location and thought the proposed housing wouldn't blend with the landscape.

Council officers however say the development would make a positive contribution to the delivery of two and three-bed houses needed across the Island and in the Bay area.

Adding 16 conditions to the approval, officers also recommend a planning obligation be executed, securing financial contributions for off-site affordable housing provisions and £5,000 for rights of way improvements.

Isle of Wight County Press: The site, marked, of the proposed housing.The site, marked, of the proposed housing.

The report, prepared by officers, says while the development would change the character and appearance of the site, it would be a positive change and complement the existing residential built-up area of Apse Heath and "the economic, social and environmental benefits of the proposed development would outweigh any harm that would be caused to those objectives as a result of it."