Retrospective Planning Statement
Retrospective planning application for widening of an access on to a highway and creation of a hard-standing area at Glendawn, Ballagawne, Ballabeg, IM9 4HL
Applicant: David Cregeen
Prior situation
The prior situation comprised a driveway with wooden gates set back a short distance (around 30 centimetres) from the highway, with a garden area surrounded by low stone walls and overgrown shrubs. About 15 years ago there was also a wooden double garage.
Work carried out
- The access was widened from approx. 2.80 metres to 4.80 metres.
- A hard-standing area measuring approx. 16 metres in length and 14 metres in width was created.
Intention in carrying out the work
The purpose of the work was to provide improved access to the property. It was previously necessary to turn on the lawn area, which as a result became very muddy. Visitors had to park on the highway opposite the house, thereby obstructing the road in the vicinity of the Colby Glen Road/Ballagawne Road junction. The new hard-standing area accommodates several vehicles and provides plenty of room for vehicles to turn around, thereby improving road safety by eliminating need to reverse on the highway in order to access or leave the property. Access is also required to empty the existing septic tank.
Current situation / Extent of work to date
The work was carried out during late 2011. The wooden gates were removed, and a digger employed to remove the shrubs and level out the site. Twenty tons of crushed rock aggregate were obtained to level over most of the site. An additional 10 tons of aggregate is still required to cover the left-hand site of the site. The concrete blocks covering the septic tank were renewed. Five ash trees on the perimeter of the site, several of which were rotten, and a further three cypress trees, were felled to open up the site and prevent damage to vehicles should they have fallen subsequently. Felling licences were obtained for this work (copies attached). A further tree at the far side of the site was uprooted during the winter storms.
Photographs showing the prior situation and the current situation are attached in support of this application.
