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A primary motivation for the design of the new building is to accommodate the current and future needs of an immediate family member with Down's syndrome in the applicants' care. Their current property does not provide the necessary space for her needs and it is not possible to adequately alter their current home to accommodate her specific needs given the size of the plot, the existing layout of the house and close proximity to the boundaries.
She has lived on Ballamenaugh Road her entire life ( 60 years) as her father managed the land as part of Ballamenaugh Mooar and held the key for the Isle of Man Government Highway Board to tip building/highway hardcore over a period of many decades. It would be immensely beneficial for her to remain in an area she is familiar with and has frequented regularly throughout her life.
She is increasingly less physically and mentally able and this will continue to deteriorate in time as she is developing more serious memory and balance issues. A new development will allow the applicants the opportunity to create a house suitable to her needs, therefore the new residence will predominantly be on one level with her bedroom and bathroom specially equipped for disabled users.
Images showing proposed dwelling and ancillary shed
The applicant is a builder and plan to undertake the construction work to this proposal himself. His knowledge and experience in the Manx construction industry will allow him to achieve a great level of finish. The applicant views this as an opportunity to showcase the very best in Manx craftsmanship by drawing on his contacts in the industry. {{image:226001}}
Design Inspiration Images
The shed and garaging will be of an agricultural style with timber cladding to the sides with a steel roof. This is done to ensure that the building blends in with the countryside environment.
Design Inspiration Images The design proposal is of a contemporary style but drawn on the Manx local vernacular for use of external materials selected. Materials such as stone cladding will allow the building to blend into its surroundings.
Siting
Careful consideration was given to the siting of the proposed development to ensure that any visual impact on the landscape is minimized.
It was deemed important to locate the property on a portion of the site that is currently used as the builders' yard rather than the area of natural vegetation.
There will be no development beyond the area currently used as builders' yard. All buildings and domestic gardening will take place within the area marked in red on the site location plan. The area marked in red indicates the portion of the site that is previously developed land, used as a builders' yard. The remaining area (marked in blue) will be left as natural vegetation.
There is a small portion of land to the south of the red outline that the owner suspects may have some landfill. Further geotechnical investigation will be undertaken, should the application be successful, to determine if this is the case. The intention is not to develop on this area but to leave it as natural vegetation.
The visual impact of the development on passersby and visitors to the nearby St Adamnan's church was a significant factor in the siting of the proposal. The proposal is therefore sited on the southernmost edge of the portion marked in red as this portion of the site is partially screened from view when looking from the church.
At present the container and building material is clearly visible. The siting of the proposed dwelling takes into consideration the views from the church and aim to improve this by cleaning up the building materials. By siting the building further over to the south, this takes advantage of the natural fall of the site and the vegetation along the river bed to screen it from view when looking from the church towards the site.
Arrow indicates predominant view from the parking area serving St Adamnan's Church. The proposed development is set further south on the site to reduce visual impact. This location is also naturally screened by vegetation along the stream to the east of the site.
The builder's materials and equipment currently stored on site are visible from this vantage point. All these materials will be stored in the proposed shed and the area landscaped, thus improving on the current view from the church.
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VIEW FROM CHURCH PARKING TOWARDS SITE
The area marked on the images above indicates the siting of the proposed development.
The exact location and condition of the landfill is not known. Should the application be successful a geotechnical investigation of the area proposed for development needs to be undertaken and a structural engineer consulted.
Passive environmental control and minimising inherent energy use: Large south facing windows for solar heat gain Solar shading to glazing to reduce heat gain in the warmer summer months. Natural daylight has been maximised through large windows to reduce the need for artificial lighting
Orientation of the building so that the living spaces face south High thermal mass in walls and floor slabs High levels of insulation ('super-insulation') to the floor, walls and roof of the building to achieve high levels of insulation and air tightness.
Natural ventilation though openable windows and rooflights to purge the building of warm air during summer.
Double and where required, triple glazing as well as using low E glass Energy efficient lighting through the use of LEDs Air tightness will be achieved through careful detailing Rainwater harvesting to an underground storage tank. The use of a hydroelectric generator (water turbine), installed in the stream on site, is proposed. The turbine converts kinetic energy from the flow of water into electric power. Additional power from solar panels are proposed, with battery banks to store the generated power.
A Klargester BioDisk system will be installed to deal with the foul water drainage from the building. The system is an environmentally safe, individual package treatment plant suitable for residential installations. After filtration through the BioDisk, effluent will be sufficiently clean to discharge into a sub-surface drainage field.
Consultation has been undertaken with DEFA Environmental Protection Unit and Inland Fisheries. The proposed development was discussed with Danielle Coombes of the Environmental Protection Unit and Robbie Moore of Inland Fisheries and a site visit was arranged.
The proposed biodisk/septic tank would be further than 9 meters from the stream but should this change or should discharge of the soakaway into the stream be required, Ms Coombes advised regarding the necessary permission that would be required.
Mr Moore advised regarding precautions during and after construction to protect the stream.
Care will be taken both during construction and occupation to preserve and enhance the natural features on the site and to ensure that the stream is not adversely impacted, particularly during construction.
A fence will be erected during construction to avoid rubble getting into the stream and care will be taken to ensure that no concrete runoff goes into the stream.
Development is restricted to the areas already disturbed for its current use as a builder's yard. The remainder of the site, along the river and towards the southern tip of the site will be left undeveloped.
The proposed residence will be visually integrated into the landscape through careful siting and selection of materials. The building is orientated in such a way that the natural beauty of the landscape can be observed from the house.
Improvement of the soil conditions in the area currently used as builder's yard will encourage the natural vegetation of the area to return.
Maintaining the existing natural vegetation which provides a habitat for wildlife as well as a continuous corridor for the movement of fauna.
With the site being permanently occupied by the applicants, it allows the opportunity for the enhancement of biodiversity on the site through maintenance and monitoring of the fauna and fauna.
Enhance birding population by providing appropriate nesting boxes Protect existing habitat and enhance it by planting appropriate species for local wildlife.
The scheme aims to improve the use and visual appearance of the site by proposing a shed in which all building materials and equipment will be stored.
Care has been taken during the design process to minimise the impact of the proposed residence on the neighbouring properties and the surrounding countryside. The proposal aims to provide a building that is sympathetic to its surroundings and which improves on the current visual appearance.
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