LETTERS From David Thurman, Freshwater:
REGARDING the planning application for sheltered housing on land between Brooklands, Queens Road, Freshwater, and 8 School Green Road, Freshwater, which was recommended for refusal by Freshwater Parish Council on Tuesday night and was the subject of a letter from Mr Janssens (CP, 05-03-10).
This application has evolved due to the fact the present Ainsworth Court elderly residential facility has to close.
During a review of older people’s accommodation, the local authority identified Ainsworth Court as a high-risk scheme in need of remodeling to meet strategic priorities and decent home standards. Due to the nature of the accommodation the bed-sits have been difficult to let and feedback indicates bed-sits are not desired.
In an effort to improve desirability, South Wight Housing Association (SWHA) reconfigured a bed-sit to provide accommodation with a separate bedroom. However, the overall floor area remained the same and the bedroom is cramped.
A waiver on achieving decent homes was given to the association on the understanding they were progressing alternative provision.
If that alternative is no longer available, the wavier will be withdrawn and they will be in breach of regulatory requirements. Southern Housing Group, SWHA’s parent company, has confirmed whatever happens with the planning decision, the existing Ainsworth Court will be closed.
They appreciate existing residents have assured tenancies and some security of tenure but, as and when the flats become vacant, they will not be re-letting them.
There will come a stage when the only viable option is to decant remaining residents to alternative accommodation but if they want to stay in West Wight, without the proposed development, sheltered housing will not be an available option.
This application is very important and I am concerned the majority of Freshwater Parish Council do not share that view.
Our previous application was put to the parish council in June last year. This was for 31 units which they did not object to. This application was refused by IW Council planning so we reduced the numbers to 26 and resubmitted. This reduced application went before the parish council last month and was objected to.
Before the second meeting the parish were given a report by Mr Janssens but his measurements and calculations were scaled from plans downloaded from the planning website and were incorrect.
When we tried to provide the correct information to the parish council at its meeting on Tuesday it would not even listen. Members stated the majority had made their mind up and did not want to re-visit the application. Due to the consequences of the failure of this application to the residents of Ainsworth Court, I am astonished the council would not even listen.
The information is as follows:
• There are ten parking spaces not two. This also allows access for emergency vehicles.
• The street scene is reduced in height against the previous application, which the parish did not object to.
• Open space — we have provided 750 square metres within the Brookside development and application area.
• Sewers — the new application has a third fewer people per property than the level we have permission for, so this cannot be an objection
• Units have been calculated to achieve running costs in the region of £300 per year for gas and electricity. With the winter fuel allowance set at £250 for ages 60-79 and £400 for ages 80+ this would be a big positive step.
• The units at Ainsworth are approximately 30 square metres. The units we will provide are a minimum of 52 square metres and maximum of 96 square metres.
All of the parish council’s objections have been addressed, so why they do not support this application as they did the first? Do they have the interests of the residents or future residents in mind? Do they want them to have to move away from the area because there is no suitable facility in the West Wight.
This site already has permission for 24 flats, so the development of the land is not in question. The only question is: Do they want a facility to benefit local elderly residents or another block of flats destined for the rental market?
The failure of this application does not mean the existing residents would be homeless but there is no guarantee they would be located in the area.
No objections have been received by residents close to the proposed development and if you ignore Mr Janssens’ misleading report there are still only two letters of objection against three in support.
There is not enough sheltered accommodation in the West Wight and there is some 50 per cent fewer units than that needed. So to turn this opportunity down would be totally irresponsible by the people trusted to do right by the community.