PLANS for seven homes in Gurnard are back — despite being rejected late last year.

Proposals from Glen Hepburn, of Hepburns Planning Consultancy, have been submitted to the Isle of Wight Council for the housing scheme on Lower Church Road and Cockleton Lane, on land by Gurnard Farm.

Previous iterations of the plans, also for seven two-bed dwellings, were turned down by the planning authority in December, but Mr Hepburn argues the reasons for refusal have been overcome.

Gurnard Parish Council has called an extraordinary meeting next Wednesday, August 11, according to local councillor Paul Fuller, to discuss the application and submit its comments before the deadline.

The parish council previously objected, among other reasons, due to the development not reflecting local need and the harm it would cause to the special landscape character of the Gurnard Luck Valley.

Isle of Wight County Press: The site on Lower Church Road by Gurnard Farm.The site on Lower Church Road by Gurnard Farm.

There has been a change in plans for the housing on the currently agricultural site, shrinking all the units and moved away from the boundaries to further improve the margins for bats.

One of the reasons the Isle of Wight Council refused the previous application was because it was an urbanising encroachment into an area of undeveloped land but Mr Hepburn said at some point all villages meet the countryside and they are simply extending the village as has been done by the previous generations.

The outline plans could see the access and layout of the site decided, with the appearance, landscaping and scale determined at a later date by reserved matters.

In planning documents, Mr Hepburn said the site would be considered a low-density scheme, fitting of the location and will not cause any harm to the character of the area.

He said as the council recognises the core planning strategy is out of date, there are no protected areas on the site and it it 'not of particular importance', there is 'no clear reason' why the revised plans should be refused.

However, Island Roads has recommended the scheme be refused, unless a revised layout addresses the current issues of inadequate access road width for service vehicles as well as inadequate turning areas and parking space access.

You can view the plans, 21/01442/OUT, on the Isle of Wight Council's planning register. Comments will be accepted until August 20.