Brockenhurst couple Richard and Karen Dance reveal plans to link Isle of Wight property to cliff tunnel

A BROCKENHURST couple have been accused of treating a coastal village "like a playground" after unveiling plans to build an underground tunnel to their private cliff-face viewing platform.

Richard and Karen Dance, who run the New Forest chain of six Welcome stores, have come under fire over proposals for the 25ft-long subterranean passage.

It has been designed to link the basement of their second home on the Isle of Wight with a balcony which looks out over the English Channel.

The pair argue they are simply completing a feature, which was part of the original plans for the house when it was built more than 100 years ago, by connecting it to an existing tunnel.

But the proposal submitted to the Island council has divided opinion in Sandown, where the £650,000 property is situated, with some fearing it will damage the cliff.

When the house overlooking Sandown Bay was built in the early 20th century, a tunnel leading to the platform was partially built but access to the house was never completed.

The Dances' application stated: "The proposals represent a unique scheme to provide an underground link between an existing house and an existing tunnel and viewing platform.

"Whilst unusual, the proposal is essentially a domestic extension."

The plan has generated opposition from some locals, however.

Neighbours Chris and Irmgard Keen said the money would be better spent on work to support the cliff.

"Some people do not know what to do with their money," said Irmgard, a retired care assistant.

“Such a project is used as a playground by people who don't live here permanently and [could cause] damage to the community living here.”

Michael Taplin, a resident of nearby Shanklin, said the plan would "disturb an unstable cliff by tunnelling under a section of highway where cars have been banned for safety reasons".

But structural engineering firm Such Salinger Peters argued that the construction would actually improve the stability of the cliff as it is built with steel-reinforced poured concrete, brickwork and waterproof membranes.

Resident Sam Connelly, a director of an engineering company, said he is "strongly pro" the application.

“I think this is wonderful," he said. "The house was always designed to have the home joined to the tunnel in 1911 when it was originally built, and this will help stabilise the cliff."

However, Lake Parish Council said the tunnel could affect the stability of the cliffs and has recommended the application be refused.

Paul Brading, councillor for Lake South and chair of the parish council, said many local residents were in agreement that the work could be "dangerous" due to the instability of the cliff.

“I have had several residents contact me expressing concern," he said. "And I have really grave concerns about any work at all being done.

“There was a cliff fall in 2010, the last time someone tried to do work there. I just feel it’s very risky to do any work due to the cliff being very fragile.”

Mr Dance declined to comment.