By Rufus Pickles - Local Democracy Reporter
Three new houses could be built in a field on the edge of a large Island village and next to the Isle of Wight National Landscape.
GL Developments IOW Ltd has applied for planning permission to build three self-build houses, an access point, an orchard, a public open space and ancillary infrastructure on land off Queens Road in Freshwater.
Self-build housebuilding can mean individuals building or managing the construction of their own home from start to finish or projects where individuals commission their home to be built ready for occupation.
A submitted Design Code sets out a series of parameters for the three houses which would sit on three plots within the application site.
Each building would not exceed 230 square metres.
Plot one in the western part of the site would be 2,606 square metres while plot two in the centre would be 1,365 square metres and plot three on the field’s eastern edge would be 1,597 square metres.
The developer’s Design and Access Statement said: “Self and custom build housing plays a crucial role – as part of a wider package of measures – in securing greater diversity in the housing market, increasing overall supply and helping to deliver the homes people want.
“The site comprises of a single field, separated and bordered by hedges and some sporadic trees, particularly to the west.
“The Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (or National Landscape) covers the southern coastline.
“The proposal is not located within the National Landscape, nor is it environmentally sensitive.
“It falls within the Conservation Area of Pound Green.”
The proposed public open space would be within a 1,494 square metre area and would include a ‘feature oak tree’ and public bench.
An orchard with a pond would be 1,708 square metres.
A public consultation on the development will finish on January 10 and the council is due to make a decision on February 10.
Isle of Wight Observer