Residents rally against proposed Isle of Wight housing plan

The proposed development, at Heathfield Farm Campsite on Heathfield Road, includes 57 residential dwellings, 12 residential flats and retail space.

If approved, the development will transform the 47,442 square metre site, currently a working campsite and private recreation field, into a large residential and commercial space.

Image of Heathfield Farm Campsite housing unit (Image: Rainey Petrie Architecture)

However, the plan has faced significant opposition from the West Wight community.

Out of 71 public comments submitted regarding the application, only three were in support, with the majority strongly objecting.

During a Freshwater Parish Council meeting held at Memorial Hall on Tuesday, September 3, residents gathered to voice their concerns.

One of the most vocal opponents was Hannah Bartlett, who expressed deep concerns about the ecological assessment conducted for the site.

Hannah Bartlett (Image: Paul Blackley)

Ms Bartlett highlighted "the absence" of critical reports, including bats, reptile and dormice surveys, which she believes are essential before any further action is taken.

Ms Bartlett added: “Overall, I find this entire application severely lacking in the ecology.

"To the point that I feel it’s making a mockery, and it’s kind of going under the presumption that the council are stupid because some of these reports are worse than poor."

Lesley Murdy, another resident, voiced her frustration over the plan's apparent disregard for pre-existing residential properties near the site.

Chair of planning Cllr Anne Bamford (Image: Paul Blackley)

"What really upsets me is the disregard that the plan showed for pre-existing residential properties on the boundary. It’s just terrible."

Traffic and noise pollution were additional points of contention.

Ms Murdy highlighted the potential for increased traffic congestion, stating, "It’s going to be a very busy junction because you’re going to have revving engines all the time when people are pulling away. It’s just not feasible, and that has to be really looked at."

Rory Scott (Image: Paul Blackley)

Rory Scott added: "It doesn’t appear that we’ve got the carbon neutral pledge for these sites, and, regarding noise and light pollution, have we got dark skies status?” he asked.

Another resident questioned the scale of the proposed retail space, asking whether it would be a "full-scale Tesco or corner shop."

The chair of planning, Cllr Anne Bamford, clarified that the plan included a smaller supermarket, intended to address a perceived lack of supermarkets in West Wight.

In addition to the environmental and infrastructural concerns, residents also raised worries about the strain on local services.

Sarah Davis (Image: Paul Blackley)

Sarah Davis pointed out the impending closure of the NHS dentist in Freshwater and questioned how the area would cope with an influx of new residents if essential services are already under strain.

She asked: "If there’s more people coming to the area with this housing, how is that going to sit if there’s actually no NHS provider?”

In light of the overwhelming opposition, Cllr Peter Spink announced that he would be applying for the matter to be determined by the IW Council Planning Committee rather than by a planning officer. Public consultation has ended, and the statutory decision date is Monday, October 28.

Cllr Peter Spink (Image: Paul Blackley)