Gunville housing scheme back before Isle of Wight Council

The hybrid application is looking, once again, to build 149 homes on the edge of Gunville.

The revised plans have sought to address concerns that led to the plans being thrown out by the authority's planning committee last year, including inadequate access and the wider impact on highways.

Despite 'seriously considering' appealing the committee's decision — which went against council planning officers' advice — applicants DN Associates and planning agent Andrew White say they have identified changes that would help reduce concerns.

• Council decision over 150 homes plan in Gunville as tempers flare

In the previous plans, access would have been through two roads on the estate. A third has now been identified via the next door Ash Lane development.

The latest housing plan for Gunville with improved access. Picture by Andrew E Hitt.

This means traffic would be able to access Gunville Road through two routes, a 'significant step' Mr White said, as it spreads the load of additional traffic across the wider network.

• You can view the plans HERE and HERE. 
• Comments can be submitted until May 16.

Another concern was the impact the increased traffic would have on the Waverley Roundabout at the top of Carisbrooke High Street, with the refused schemes based on traffic surveys from 2016.

Updated traffic surveys and modelling have been undertaken which Mr White says demonstrate no capacity problems at any of the relevant junctions as a result of the proposed development — including the roundabout.

The Waverley Roundabout coming from Gunville. Picture by Google Maps.

The outcome of the 2021 surveys, Mr White goes on to say, shows in some cases there were fewer movements on the roads than 2016 and at the Waverley Roundabout over 200 fewer vehicles came up Carisbrooke High Street during the afternoon peak, compared to the previous data.

To help mitigate the traffic impact in the area, DN Associates are prepared to make a financial contribution to the council to see the potential re-opening of Taylor Road — which would connect Wellington Road and Gunville Road — should it be necessary as part of the overall planning balance.

The Ash Lane development at the top of the picture and Taylor Road to the bottom right. Picture by Google Maps.

Another change to the plans has been to set aside 12 community parking spaces to replace those on the existing estate that might be lost should the access roads be installed.

The bulk of the applications has remained the same with more than 50 affordable houses proposed out of the total 149.