Council to examine plans for holiday modules and HMOs

Plans for new holiday accommodation at popular Isle of Wight attraction Tapnell Farm will be put before members of County Hall’s planning committee this evening (Tuesday), along with a proposal to transform a cottage retirement to a house of multiple occupancy, for ex-offenders. and those who kick their drug and/or alcohol addiction.

Councilors will meet at 4pm in the Isle of Wight Council Chambers in Newport.

Committee members will examine the future of the former Bluebell House retirement home, located on Mitchell Avenue in Ventnor, which closed in November 2022.

The former Bluebell House retirement home, photographed on Google Streetview (Image: Google Maps)

In a letter to the council, its owners said recruitment and finances at the part-government funded facility were critical at the time of closing its doors.

Isle of Wight Council has been unable to do this, they revealed, adding that a change of use would address the housing shortage, providing accommodation for single people, freeing up apartments and houses for families.

The revised program proposed by Terraform Development is in conjunction with the Silkworth CIC project, which aims to provide a “safe and secure environment for people who are overcoming difficulties and trying to rebuild their lives after addiction and/or related circumstances”.

The documents indicate the 22-bed HMO would be: Staffed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday; Equipped with 24/7 alarm; Welcoming residents who “have undergone some form of treatment and have begun to address the issues they are facing…which may include substance abuse, homelessness, and/or delinquent behavior.”

Residents would have to be free of drink and drugs for 30 days to be considered and some offenders would not be allowed to live there at all, according to the plans.

Around 50 objections were lodged with Isle of Wight Council, but its officials recommended conditional permission.

The final decision will be made by the councilors.

Newport County Hall (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

A proposal to create more than 30 rectangular tourism pods at Tapnell Farm, near Freshwater, is also being considered.

The project was initially debated in June 2023, when it was supported by councilors despite fears of overdevelopment.

The case was called and additional information was requested. Additional information on disability access, the impact of nitrates and how the land would be managed is now available.

Tonight, when it comes up again, councilors could decide whether to approve the remaining conditional aspects of the project, request further changes or reconsider the project as a whole.

However, officers recommended that councilors grant conditional approval.

Drawings of what the pods might look like. (Image: BCM/Ferme Tapnell)

The current proposal is for 32 pods, aimed primarily at groups associated with Camp Libertas, which offers active vacations for children aged 8 to 15.

The modules would be available for rental year-round, while use of Camp Libertas would be primarily in the summer.

The pods would replace tents, which led to an objection from Yarmouth council. However, letters were also received in support of the project, citing an increase in employment (ten more if permission is granted, according to the applicants), as well as education and tourism.

Among those backing the plan are bosses at Visit Isle of Wight and the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce.