A planning application for the development of more than 120 new housing units on the Isle of Wight has sparked significant opposition among Freshwater residents.
The development, which would see 127 new homes built on Camp Road in Freshwater and new access roads and a junction added, has faced resistance due to concerns over environmental impact, local infrastructure and road safety.
These issues were passionately discussed at a parish council meeting held last week at Memorial Hall in Freshwater - when a proposed development at Heathfield Farm Campsite on Heathfield Road was also discussed.
The Camp Road plans, reworked from a previous proposal that was rejected 11 years ago, were first brought back in 2021 and have since been reworked into the latest plan.
One of the most contentious points raised was the potential 'ecological damage' the development could cause.
Resident Hannah Bartlett expressed concern over the treatment of local wildlife, particularly bats.
Ms Bartlett claimed that developers have been “deliberately trying not to find bats.”
The Island is known for its significant population of barbastelle bats, a protected species, and Ms Bartlett fears the development could endanger their habitat.
“There is a lot wrong with his application. If we don’t insist on a robust application, we could lose landscapes and populations of species that we can’t return.
“Another mockery, they think we’re stupid,” she said.
Evelyn Hodgson, another resident, raised concerns about the geology of the area, specifically regarding underground streams that flow from Alum Bay through the proposed development site.
Ms Hodgson warned that disrupting these streams could lead to flooding, noting that she has already experienced water diversion issues on her property due to previous developments nearby.
“I had to fill in my duck pond because of the water coming down the hill,” she said, adding that the proposed site is vulnerable to similar issues.
Ms Hodgson also highlighted the potential impact on the Farringford Hotel, located near the development site, which features a stargazing platform.
She said: “It’s known as the best stargazing place in the UK, and it would be destroyed by these lights.”
Several residents expressed alarm over the impact the new homes could have on local infrastructure.
Claire Fussell, a former NHS worker, voiced concerns about the strain the development could place on already overwhelmed healthcare services.
“The doctor’s surgery is completely on its knees,” she said, warning that the influx of new residents could make an already difficult situation “catastrophic.”
Another resident described the current state of Camp Road as ‘dangerous’, especially for pedestrians and cyclists.
He told the parish council meeting: “When I look at Camp Road, I see school children at 3.30pm alight from a bus, I see horse riders going up and down, I see cyclists, and I walk my dog there regularly.
“I have to enter other people’s property if one vehicle comes by. I have to step onto their drive.
“How the hell is this ever going to be made safe? I find it suicidal. It’s absolutely insane.”
Phil Sharples, a member of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, called for greater scrutiny of the development, particularly regarding its ecological impact.
“Digging up green field sites should only really be a last resort,” he said, criticising what he saw as a lack of thorough consideration for the area’s environmental and geological makeup.
Public consultation is due to close on September 20.
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