By Isle of Wight Observer
A retrospective planning application has been submitted to the Isle of Wight Council seeking permission for a two-bedroom park home in Freshwater to be used as a main residence. The home is located at ‘The Old Quarry’, situated on the eastern side of Afton Road, a key route connecting Freshwater to the Military Road and Freshwater Bay.
According to newly submitted planning documents, the site has a long history of residential use. For approximately 16 years, a single caravan stood on the land as the sole residence. However, this has now been replaced by a more permanent, modern two-bedroom park home, with the original caravan used for storage.
The applicant’s design and access statement, submitted by Access Plans of Surrey, highlights that the new park home is fully serviced, operating with connections to mains electricity and water, and the local sewer network. It says the development has not negatively impacted local highways. The existing access point onto Afton Road remains unchanged.
Freshwater Parish Council has objected to the application, because it is within the Freshwater Bay (Afton) conservation area, and says it is a clear attempt to circumvent the planning process, adding that the council is shocked that enforcement action has not taken place previously.
Island Roads and Southern Water have no objections subject to conditions being imposed.
The Isle of Wight Council’s planning department will now evaluate whether the transition from a temporary caravan to a static park home complies with the Island’s planning policies regarding rural housing and sustainable development.
The full application can be viewed via iw.observer/planning-portal under reference 26/01032/FUL with comments open until until September 14. A decision is expected on October 7.