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The Secretary To The Planning Committee.
1900386
Department of Environment Food and Agriculture.
First Floor,
Murray House,
Mount Havelock,
Douglas.
IM1 2SF
Ayre Cottage, Smeale - Statement of Commitment
We consider ourselves to be very lucky to be the owners of Ayre Cottage. We intend to create something very special around the tholtan allowing many generations to come to enjoy this unique property and surrounding area.
Our Primary Objectives:
1. Cottage Restoration:
This includes, but is not limited to:
a) Repair of 3 beach stone walls using original materials and techniques - a stone mason (not a builder) has already been engaged for this work. The one unstable gable end (north) is the only part not considered suitable for repair.
b) Replace purlins and other roof timbers with new, solid oak timbers.
c) Replace man-made tiles with reclaimed Welsh slate. The slate has been sourced and is already available for use.
d) Fit timber framed windows and adopt a nationally recognised Manx cottage colour scheme (white cottage walls with red window frames). Sealed glass units will be incorporated to achieve modern insulation standards, but this will not detract from the traditional look of the windows.
2. Accommodation:
What is proposed is a very basic level of accommodation by modern standards.
a) Historic documentation, land registry records, remaining concrete footings and materials left on site all confirm a significant kitchen extension existed as recently as the 1980/90s. The toilet facilities were external and additional to the cottage footprint.
b) We wish to retain the charm of a small 1 bed roomed cottage, it suits both the cottage and location.
c) From evidence of materials left on site, we believe the proposed bedroom picks up the style of the original extension, albeit a smaller footprint. This, combined with the more contemporary look to the kitchen at the rear of the property, allows the original cottage to be clearly identified - something we consider to be very important.
d) The additional accommodation is set back or directly behind the cottage, with a roof line below that of the cottage. This ensures the view of the cottage from the road is predominantly unchanged.
As a family, we have always been committed to the environment. We are regular users of Beach Buddies' bins, always recycle our waste and want to support local flora and fauna diversity on the cottage plot. a) Whilst some self-seeded sycamores will need to be removed, we will be replacing these low grade specimens with a greater number of trees. These will be planted in more suitable locations on the site and be maintained to ensure healthy mature trees develop. There will be a greater diversity of tree species planted and input from the DEFA Ayre's Ranger will be sought. b) A commitment has already been given to the Ayre's Ranger that no new plant species will be introduced to the cottage site without their input. c) The Manx stone wall to the south of the plot will be enhanced to try and encourage lizards to the site. This includes adding exposed rocks to provide little crevices and keeping grass/weeds cut back to allow direct sunlight to reach the ground. d) An owl nesting box will be fitted to rear of the garage. There have been owls on the site in the past, but they were apparently disturbed by people stopping on the highway to see them. The location at the rear of the garage will ensure that if they do return they will not be disturbed. e) A bat report forms part of the submission and recommendations to encourage bats to the site will be adopted. f) We have already cleared most of the site of waste gorse cuttings left there by the previous owners.
Sustainable technologies will be used where possible as this supports our commitment to the wider environment. a) Power generation will be achieved solely through solar panels. This represents a significant financial commitment, but we believe this to be a worthwhile investment. b) Professional solar power generation contractors have been engaged and their recommendations have been incorporated into the proposal. The solar array and battery specifications reflect the peak power demands of the cottage at the lowest anticipated levels of generation (cloudy days, mid-winter). Without the benefit of grid backup, the system has to be standalone and suitable capacity margins have had to be built in to the specifications. c) The proposal is to site the solar array to the south of the cottage as this location provides an unobstructed view of the sun and the maximum period of exposure during the day. The location also means that the arrays will not be visible from the highway. d) The sustainable technology shed has been designed to provide sufficient room to house and service the solar power storage batteries and control systems. In addition, it will house a heat sink tank used to generate hot water from both solar and wood burning stove (back boiler) sources. e) Smeale is one of the driest places in the UK (believe it or not). This effectively precludes the use of a water capture system to provide a reliable domestic grey water source. As a result, mains water will be supplied to the cottage - a way leave exists to bring this supply in over the fields to the south of the cottage. The intention is however to still capture rain water as this can then be used for irrigation purposes on the plot important in such a dry location.
a) There has been a very positive reaction to our proposal to restore the cottage. In response to our post on "Tholtans Isle of Man" Facebook page (6th May 2018), we have had a total of 264 "Likes" and lots of positive comments wishing us luck with the restoration. In addition, we have been approached by both a local resident and various people who have stayed in the property (when they were children and it was habitable) all providing encouragement and support for what we are trying to do.
b) In the plan attached to the deed between Margaret Ann Kissack and Thomas Malcolm Teare dated 19th September 1984 (Land Registry record - copy included in the application), the cottage's kitchen extension and rear porch are clearly delineated. According to this plan, the kitchen extension had a footprint of approximately 32 square meters. The concrete foundations for this extension remain visible on site, albeit some parts are covered by a later cast concrete slab.
c) The proposal has been developed with the benefit of feedback from the Planning Department. This feedback has been very helpful and we would like to express our thanks for the constructive approach adopted by the Planning officers we have spoken to.
Yours faithfully.
Derek & Leigh Coombes. 28th March 2019.
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