Here is a summary of the upcoming Isle of Wight Council Planning Committee meeting. The committee is scheduled to discuss a planning application for the construction of six dwellings on land adjacent to Westwood Close in Cowes, as well as consider questions from the public and councillors.

Land adjacent 20 and 27 Westwood Close, Cowes

The Planning Committee is scheduled to review a full planning application, reference 25/01013/FUL, for the proposed development of six dwellings and the creation of additional parking on land adjacent to 20 and 27 Westwood Close, Cowes. The application was called in by Councillor Paul Fuller, JP, because it is considered to raise marginal and difficult policy issues. The Strategic Manager for Planning and Infrastructure Delivery is recommending refusal of the application.

The main considerations for the planning application are listed as:

• Principle
• Mix of housing/ affordable housing
• Impact on the character of the area
• Impact on nearby properties
• Ecology/ trees
• Biodiversity Net Gain
• Highway considerations
• Other matters

The application seeks full planning consent to construct six two-storey houses, comprising a pair of semi-detached houses east of 27 Westwood Close, and a staggered terrace of four houses east of 20 Westwood Close. Each house would have an open-plan kitchen, lounge, and dining room on the ground floor, with two bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor, as well as front and rear gardens. Six new parking spaces would be provided at the western end of Westwood Close, near 35 Parklands Avenue, with one space allocated to each house. The development is required to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain¹ (BNG) and proposes to do so by purchasing off-site biodiversity units.

The report pack notes that the application site is located within the settlement boundary for Cowes and within the Medina Valley Key Regeneration Area. Land to the north of the site is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).

Cowes Town Council has objected to the proposals, raising concerns about overdevelopment, restricted access for emergency service vehicles, and visibility issues on the highway network. Eight objections were also received from members of the public, citing concerns such as loss of light, overlooking, impact on wildlife, overdevelopment, and inadequate parking arrangements.

The Strategic Manager for Planning and Infrastructure Delivery notes that the council is subject to the presumption in favour of sustainable development², as the council cannot demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites. The report pack states that the proposed development would contribute towards a needed housing type within the relevant housing sub-market area, as the proposals would deliver six two-bedroom houses.

The report pack also notes that while on-site affordable housing is not required for developments below fifteen units, the council's Affordable Housing Contributions SPD requires a financial contribution towards offsite affordable housing provision. The planning statement confirms that the applicant would be willing to make the necessary financial contribution; however, the Unilateral Undertaking³ required to secure the contribution has not been completed.

The Planning Ecology Officer has advised that a revised biodiversity metric would be required, that proposed BNG could incorporate onsite provision and advised that a preliminary ecological appraisal should be provided.

Island Roads have advised that the development would not result in a severe impact on the capacity of the highway network and would comprise a compliant level of parking, but concluded that the proposed parking bays would not include adequate levels of visibility.

The Strategic Manager for Planning and Infrastructure Delivery is recommending refusal of the application, stating:

Refusal, due to the impact of the development on protected species, the failure to demonstrate that the required level of Biodiversity Net Gain would be delivered and the absence of a completed Unilateral Undertaking to secure financial contributions in respect of affordable housing and SPA mitigation.

Public Question Time

The agenda allots a maximum of 15 minutes for questions from members of the public. Any questions must have been submitted in writing to Democratic Services by 4.00 pm on Thursday, 2 October 2025.

Members' Question Time

The agenda allows councillors to ask questions of the chair or other committee members, provided that one clear working day's notice has been given in writing to Democratic Services, or if the question relates to an urgent matter and the Chair has given their consent.