By Rufus Pickles - Local Democracy Reporter
A large villa-style property in a coastal village could house four new ‘starter homes’.
A planning application was submitted to County Hall to convert two existing flats within Hurstleigh – a house with a ‘substantial’ garden on The Broadway, Totland.
A proposed rear extension to the building would enable the creation of four two-bedroom apartments, replacing one three-bedroom flat and another with four bedrooms.
The application’s Design and Access Statement said: “This scheme would create relatively affordable housing for starter homes, or properties for those wishing to downsize.
“According to the statistics available, two-bedroomed properties are in the most need on the Island, and these units involve the re-use of previously developed land.
“There have been several previous permissions for conversions to four flats at this property, as the council has consistently agreed that the property is suitable for conversion.
“Unlike previous schemes, the current application does not propose on-site parking spaces, as this would require the loss of the front garden area.
“With this in mind, we have demonstrated within a parking survey that there is sufficient vehicle parking available in the nearby car park and on the roads in the area.”
Isle of Wight Observer