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.
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.
Services
It is understood that the site benefits from mains services, but interested parties are advised to satisfy themselves.
BLRF & SCB Funding
The vendors of the site can offer Self and Custom Build (SCB) grants towards the site preparation and demolition costs, subject to certain time constraints. Grant terms and conditions apply. Further information can be provided on request.
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.
Terms
The site is available freehold or leasehold.
The council would be interested to receive bids of more than 35% affordable housing however, due to the need for Department for Education consent to dispose any bids below open market value will require IWC to fund the difference which may not be approved. Accordingly, IWC is inviting bids on all bases and once bids are received a decision will be made.
Given the council’s identified priority of climate change, bidders should also demonstrate how their bids will help meet the net zero ambitions both through demolition, construction and whole life future use.
Deliverability of housing as soon as possible is key to the IWC 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.
If proposals received are not sufficiently robust the IWC may offer the freehold disposal via an initial building lease with the freehold interest to transfer to the purchaser for £1 on completion of the agreed development. Terms to be negotiated.
IWC is not required to accept any particular offer for the site.
Viewings
All viewings to be arranged via HRD Commercial. Please contact 01983 527727.
