Agricultural Use Redundancy Statement

The two stone buildings which are the subject of the above application have not been used for agricultural purposes for many years and are too small to accommodate modern agricultural machinery. One of the buildings was built as a house in approx. 1800s and the buildings have mainly been used for storage of household items, e.g. cupboards, a deep-freeze, floor-tiles, etc. Both buildings have mains power and water supplies: regular electricity bills and government rates (buildings and water) have been and continue to be paid. The buildings are also insured.

Last year, I inherited 20 acres of land together with the buildings from my belated father, who was the owner of Ballakillowey Farm; these buildings and land (being known as Ballawinnecan) having been previously acquired separately by him and which are adjacent to Ballakillowey Farm. He lived in Ballakillowey Farmhouse and grazed sheep on the whole of his land and then arranged for short-term grazing tenancies after he retired, which was over 15 years ago. Use of these buildings was not included in the tenancies and they were kept watertight and well-maintained by my father, who stored scales, freezers, etc. there after the sale of his business, 'G H Costain, Meat Purveyors', in the 1990s.

My husband and I are not farmers and, if our application is approved, we plan to retire to the house and look after the land by having the grass cut for silage when necessary and by continuing to arrange for periodic grazing tenancies of sheep and/or cattle.

My hope is that, if we are granted planning permission, we can continue where my father left off and keep-up the long-standing family tradition regarding the care and use of the land.

Mrs L I Martin 28th August 2019