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We are dismayed that Petticoat Lane in Newport, Isle of Wight, will be destroyed by Sainsbury’s development. The society backed local objectors in their campaign to save the path.
The Isle of Wight Council endorsed the path-change and a public inquiry was held in January. The public inquiry inspector, Peter Millman, has ruled that the path should be moved to a route alongside Foxes Road.
We objected to the plan to move the path because Petticoat Lane is a pleasant route, lined by chestnut trees. It is direct and particularly convenient for the elderly people who live in the vicinity. The replacement alongside Foxes Road will be noisy and busy with vehicular traffic. Local people have evidence that Petticoat Lane is a historic route.
We argued that Sainsbury’s should alter their plans to accommodate Petticoat Lane, not alter the path to suit their plans. This is a sad outcome for the residents of Newport.