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This application is for two in number, semi detached buildings, as shown on the concept visuals. The new buildings will occupy an area of a previous development, the foundations of which still remain, albeit covered in a thick, unsightly undergrowth.
I have previously applied for building consent for 12 first time buyer homes but I was refused under the heading of 'the land being in a wider area of public open space and a public amenity'. I am now certain that under title deeds, it cannot be considered as either. At that point in time I did not go to appeal.
The land by definition can only be considered as infill as there are previous developments either side and in fact has also had a recent development of a large double garage on the same land as mine. I have the land sale document for Mr C.D. Shimmin which stated it was for a garden space only! I did not contest this development.
Infill development as I am sure you already realize is the use by redevelopment of land on existing developed sites within an urban/suburban area.
Infill development promotes better use of sites through reuse and repositioning of obsolete or demolished buildings, Infill uses areas of land left vacant during early development and contributes to community revitalization. Infill developments are representative of smart growth.
Infill development is valuable not only for the environmental benefits of using land more efficiently and directing growth into existing urbanized areas, but also the benefit that quality projects bring to neighbourhoods and communities. Good infill conserves open space, helps to energize communities and contributes to jobs, housing and area sustainability.
The proposed development area will have abundant green areas as can be clearly seen by the area marked on the map provided. I realize that the Mooragh Park is only a few yards away with a huge amount of open green space and the beach is directly in front but I still feel that new developments should enjoy their own dedicated open areas and as such I have left over half of my land for this purpose. I doubt that many new developments would leave this amount of green space.
This development will add many benefits to the area as a whole, at a time when the island requires sensible developments that can utilize redundant infill sites, that are no use to the general public but can be used to add to the islands overall economy and to lift the area immensely by using good ecologically based building design and sympathetic consideration of the area as a whole. At the same time maximizing use of existing public facilities which lower the per capita cost of providing and maintaining services.
The infrastructure is already in place to serve this development. A high standard of street lighting is in place to which I hold the way leave documents, public transport is also well established with a bus stop literally outside the front doors, Mains sewerage is directly in front of the development and electrical power would come from the nearby sub station, built in water reclamation tanks would be used to feed the buildings for everything apart from basic drinking water, solar panels on the rear side of the buildings roofs would provide heating and would lower carbon emissions to this development.
As for the buildings themselves I gave Architects JS Associates Ltd a difficult brief for the concept design:
I am sure you will agree JS Associates Ltd have done an exemplary job by creating this amazing design which I feel is the future of coastline property development, I would suggest viewing the flyby animation which gives a great insight to the overall proposed development.
As for the land, I have had a reputable local landscape company review the area for the proposed Development with regards to existing plant life and bushes etc. to determine if there was anything of importance. They have reported that there is nothing of any interest. I have studies for wildlife and again there is nothing of interest, although I have had a local fisherman complain about two large rats eating the bait from his tackle box whilst sitting on the pavement next to my Land. I have to admit myself to having struggled through the undergrowth some years ago to look at the original buildings foundations and after a lot of squeaking and scurrying under my feet I decided not to do it again!!
Should the vegetation and rodent problem become worse in the future I will have the area either mechanically or chemically stripped to negate both problems. My local MHK and several landscape companies have advised me to remove the top soil to a depth of 6 inches which to me seems somewhat severe but if it removes the associated problems, I will as owner consider it.
Beach Villas Proposal
I feel, as do many other people of Ramsey and the north that this development forms a sound and sensible use of what is by all accounts a waste of ground. It is neither attractive nor is it of any use to the public. Out of at least 40 people that I have discussed this project with, all have been in support of my proposal and the consensus of opinion is that the area is mostly ignored and when it is looked at represents an eyesore and spoils the general beauty of the area. Not one person I spoke to thought of it as an area of natural beauty! Indeed one person that I showed the building designs to stated it would be a breath of fresh air for Ramsey and would get rid of an eyesore at the same time.
Final Statement
I trust that the members of the planning Department can appreciate how much has gone into this approval in principal, we have done our utmost to design buildings that will greatly enhance the area and would look, 'and I am sure you will agree' far better than the land itself, we have also considered the economic boost to local Government including the spreading out maintenance costs of existing services, and the jobs that would be created for all the local tradesmen/women, The Land at present creates nothing to the Islands economy and contributes nothing to the people of Ramsey.
We have considered the surrounding area and the privacy of the neighbourhood by leaving almost one half of the land completely untouched to provide a huge amount of green space either side of the development and the position of the new buildings will not affect the views from the existing houses owners.
Should you approve to this approval in principal we feel we are prepared to submit a full application with all reports and architects drawings for this Development.
Yours Faithfully,
Mr J W Clegg
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