About this property
Opportunity to purchase a residential development site.
LOCATION
Totland Bay is situated to the West of the Isle of Wight and offers various amenities in the village. The town of Freshwater is very close by and offers a more extensive range of shopping, eateries, doctors surgeries and schools. The popular beaches at Totland Bay, Colwell & Freshwater are very close by as are the tourist destinations The Needles and Alum Bay.
Located on Weston Road, this former academy benefits from stunning views of the surrounding area and is just a short walk from the local amenities. The site is situated within the Totland Conservation Area, making this a superb opportunity to significantly improve the visual aspect of the area.
DESCRIPTION
Offered for sale is this brilliant development opportunity consisting of approximately 1.1 acres. The site does not currently benefit from planning permission for any alternative use.
The original cottage and Sunday school from 1898 have been extended over time. The front of the hall was extended in 1940 towards the road to form an under croft below the kitchen. Later as the school expanded, modern buildings were added, consisting of several flat roof extensions, including a portacabin.
The buildings extend to approximately 859m² with associated tarmac playground areas. The modern buildings are in very basic condition, predominantly single storey, masonry construction under a concrete flat roof.
Surrounding the buildings are hard landscaping area used for playgrounds. The remainder of the site consists of rough grass with changes in level, along with a few significant trees.
Whilst it is the council’s preference for the new vehicular access to be via Weston Road, if this cannot be achieved additional land adjacent may also be purchased, shown hatched black on the plan.
If this adjacent land is required, please note that the council will favour bids requiring the least amount of this land as possible, along with proposals which create parking for the users of the playing field, etc, to minimise the effect on the community.
If this additional land is included in any bid the IWC will require the purchaser/developer to make good works to the site such as relocating the shed that currently sits on this part of the site.
It is understood that the site has a low flood risk as it falls within Zone 1 on the Flood Risk Map for planning. No flood risk assessment has taken place on the site.
The site is subject to Department for Education consent to dispose as non-education land. A key requirement of obtaining this consent is that maximum open market value is achieved. The application has been submitted.
Constraints
On site is an historic cottage dated 1898 which has been identified as an unlisted historical asset which may be required to be retained and refurbished as part of any planning permission to develop the site.
BLRF & SCB Funding
The vendors of the site can offer Self and Custom Build (SCB) grant towards the site preparation and demolition costs, subject to certain time constraints. Grant terms and conditions apply.
Further information can be provided on request.
SERVICES
It is understood that the site benefits from mains services, but interested parties are advised to satisfy themselves.
There is no electricity meter on site and the gas meters are in the process of being removed.
TERMS
The site is available freehold.
Bids are invited to be submitted by Monday 9th October. All bids are to be provided in writing. The IWC are inviting unconditional bids on all bases, with or without the grant funding. The site will be subject to an overage provision, and the IWC are inviting parties to put forward their own proposals for this.
If a bid is submitted with the benefit of the grant funding the IWC have advised deliverability is key to the IWC’s aspirations. Therefore, bidders are requested to submit details with their proposals as to how the council can be satisfied that purchasers will build out their proposals in a timely fashion.
IWC is not required to accept any particular offer for the site.
PLANNING
The site sits within a Conservation Area.
We have been advised that this site has been identified within a smaller Regeneration Area Settlement Boundary of West Wight, Planning Policy SP1, and in principle the re-development of this site would be supported.
VIEWING
All viewings are appointment only and to be arranged via HRD Commercial. Please contact 01983 527727.
