Isle of Wight pier plan sees mounting opposition

Plans were unveiled for the major development in April and would see a shellfish and fish landing and processing facility, shop and restaurant built on the remnants of the pier.

As part of the Westhill Beach development proposed by company Miles Blamire, there would also be five luxury homes on the shore's edge which would, in part, fund the pier development.

Concerns over the application have been raised, however, with more than a hundred comments submitted to the Isle of Wight Council about the application — the overwhelming majority against the proposals.

• Read more about the scheme: Major plans to renovate Fort Victoria Pier unveiled

The site for housing and the refurbished pier, looking from Fort Victoria. Picture by West Sussex Archaeology.

One member of the public said they had no issue with the proposal to restore the pier but they were totally against the housing element while another said the development would be detrimental to tourism.

Freshwater Parish Council said the proposals would dramatically change the area, would be an unsustainable use of a brownfield site and branded it an overdevelopment.

The proposed Westhill Beach houses. Picture by Miles Blamire.

They said the plans were not in keeping with the surroundings nor was it sympathetic to the Grade II Fort Victoria.

If it were to be approved, the authority called for a condition stipulating no house could be built until the pier had been restored.

Island Roads has also recommended the application for refusal due to issues with the proposed highways layout and the increased use of the existing Halletts Shute and Westhill Lane junction.

The Westhill Beach houses looking towards the beach. Picture by Miles Blamire.

A campaign, Save Our Seashore, has now been launched by residents against the proposals.

• Read more: Campaign to stop luxury houses development at Fort Victoria

Not everyone is against the plans though, with one tourist saying they had been deeply saddened to see the amenity allowed to decline for so many years.

They said they wholeheartedly supported the application, which offered long-overdue salvation.

The current state of the pier near Fort Victoria. Picture by BCM.

"Quite frankly," they said, "this should be one of the Island's must-see beauty spots and yet years of neglect have reduced it to an eyesore. That in itself is a disgrace; turning down this proposal would be an even bigger one."

Comments on the application have officially closed but local ward member Cllr Peter Spink has requested the application be determined by the Isle of Wight Council's planning committee.