Planning Statement
Property: Dreem Aalin, Church Road, Port e Vullen, Maughhold IM7 1AP Planning Statement - by John I Davies (Applicant)
Following the conveyance of the above ½ acre plot of land from West Ballaterson Farm, on 28th March 1949, I believe the existing property is, most likely, a 1950s brick-built three-bedroom family home with smooth rendered and painted walls under a concrete-tiled roof. It is situated on the A15, Maughold Road, screened by a large hedge along its northeast boundary.
The plot is expansive, with significant planting along the southeast boundary, primarily consisting of a single-species hedge. Toward the southwest fence boundary, there are several mature trees that provide substantial wind protection. The northwest boundary features a mix of stone and sod hedges, interspersed with trees and bushes. Other than the road frontage, the plot is surrounded by agricultural fields used primarily for livestock.
The plot slopes nearly 7 meters from the A15 road down to the southwest fence boundary, while remaining relatively flat across its width. Neighbouring properties include the recently extended Mount Sayle, located below and to the northwest (about 130m away), and West Ballaterson Farm, situated above and to the southeast (around 375m away). Across the road, two properties - Eago and Creggan - are positioned 36m and 110m away, respectively, slightly elevated from Dreem Aalin.
Dreem Aalin was purchased in 2022 and approval was granted, in 2023, to demolish and replace the existing bungalow with a house of traditional Manx design. A change in personal circumstances has since required a reconsideration of requirements and the size of the property. The proposal is to maintain the core building but to demolish the existing flat roofed garage to the northwest side of the property and replace it with a two-storey side extension with dormer windows. To the south-east elevation, erect a double garage linked to the existing chalet bungalow by rebuilding the existing flat roofed extension of utility and W/C with a pitched roof. To the rear, south-west elevation, construct a single storey orangery with a central glass roof lantern.
It is proposed to clad the existing front gable and rear orangery in stone and the remainder of the property to be rendered and painted. All new roof structures will be constructed with concrete tiles on a 40-degree pitch, with 200mm roof overhangs, to match the existing roof structure. Solar panels will be inset into the tiles on the southeast and southwest facing roofs.
The current site access will be retained, maintaining the screening and privacy provided by the substantial sod bank and hedge to the front of the property. Additionally, all the established trees, hedging and planting elsewhere on the plot will also be retained.
The mature trees at the lower end of the garden, away from the house, offer effective wind protection and help break up the visual profile of both the existing and proposed dwelling when viewed from a distance.
I humbly request that the planning department and committee please give favourable consideration to this application which will result in an area reduction, of the completed property, of more than 100 sq metres less than the approval granted in 2023. For this application, I am acting as my own agent so I am available for any consultation throughout the planning process and to address any queries your department may have.
