Wellow homes plan would open up section of West Wight cycle path

The site for the homes at Lee Farm on Wellow's Main Road would see a number of barns and storage building demolished.

Submitted by current Yarmouth mayor Steve Cowley and his company, Cowley and Cowley, the development would have six two-bed, nine three-bed and one four-bed houses built to reflect a farmhouse and its surrounding buildings, according to planning documents.

The proposed layout of the development. (Picture: Andrew E Hitt)

Agent, Andrew White Planning Consultancy, says the farmyard site has been derelict and the barns and buildings are in various states of repair.

Despite some of the proposed area being farmland, all of the site is technically previously developed, or brownfield, land as determined by the Planning Inspectorate.

Mr White said: "Although Wellow is not a particularly sustainable location for new housing, there is a clear requirement for local community housing in this area and delivering this on land that has been developed would be of benefit to the local area."

The site as shown by Google Maps.

Sitting on the edge of Wellow and Thorley, the applicants say they would make a 1.75km strip of land available for the West Wight Greenway (cycle track) while also proposing to undertake the work associated with delivering surfacing, fencing and gates.

Housing developments on the Island, which provide more than ten houses, either have to provide a proportion of properties as affordable or contribute payment to put affordable housing elsewhere.

Mr White says, through the findings of a viability report, the development should be able to make a 'modest financial contribution' towards off-site affordable housing.

A bungalow already built at the site is included in the plans, changing the use from a holiday dwelling into a permanent home.

You can view proposals, 21/00684/FUL, on the council's planning register. Comments will be accepted until May 17.