Northwood Housing Development Plans Revealed

A 14 house development could be built on the edge of an Isle of Wight village.

Applicants Downer and Long, the family owners of Comforts Farm, have submitted an application to the Isle of Wight Council seeking outline planning permission for 14 residential units at a site off Pallance Road in Northwood.

The proposal consists of three building types: four two bed semi-detached houses, eight three bed detached houses and two three bed semi-detached houses.

Also included is vehicular access next to the current road entrance to Comforts Farm and a driveway within the site which would be behind a row of trees facing Pallance Road.

A pedestrian entry point would link the east of the site with a bus stop on a route heading into Cowes.

A Design and Access Statement prepared by the Island-based town planning consultancy, Phil Salmon Planning, said:

"The proposed site has become surplus to agricultural need.

“Given the position of the site close to Pallance Road, and its location in relation to the defined settlement boundary of Cowes, the landowners wish to bring the site forward for housing development, based on principles of effective and contextual design, safe access, highways and public transport gain and environmental enhancement.

“The Comforts Farm owners wish to provide four new houses for family members who wish to live in the area as well as providing for wider local need.

“This is the type of site that should be promoted for the Isle of Wight to meet its housing needs targets, both current and future.”

The document also mentions a ‘significant opportunity’ for an environmental and biodiversity enhancement scheme behind the proposed houses.

Possible improvements listed include a ‘wildflower-rich grassland’, a new native hedgerow, flowering shrubs and fruit trees.

A public consultation on the application will finish on December 20 and a council decision is expected on February 20.