Hartford Homes Planning Statement

Department of Planning Department of Infrastructure Murray House Mount Havelock Douglas Isle of Man IM1 2SF

23rd October 2014 Dear Sir / Madam, Re: Proposed change of house type, Plot 84 (previously plot 7), Cronk Cullyn, Colby (previously approved by PA 13/91392/B) Please note that we have renumbered the plots on this site and Plot 7 is now known as Plot 84.

This is a detailed planning application to change the house type previously approved for Plot 84 by PA13/91392/B, from a ‘Cambridge’ to an ‘Oxford’.

The Oxford house type is larger than the Cambridge, with the inclusion of an additional single storey element. The purchaser, who has requested this planning application to be submitted, would ideally like an Oxford on this site but unfortunately for them, all the Oxford have been sold and this is the only way they could get the accommodation they need in their preferred location.

We believe there are two issues that require considerations on this application. Firstly the proximity of the larger property to existing site trees and secondly the small reduction in public open space.

Impact on existing trees

The larger dwelling will result in the single storey part of the dwelling footprint sitting under the canopy of an Ash tree (tree T1). This has potential to cause two problems; the impact on tree roots and the potential of falling branches. The advice of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture has been sought and following a site inspection carried out on 20th October 2014, the forester’s advice was that tree T1 and also tree T2(Ash), are in poor condition, are poor example of Ash and have very limited environmental benefit, so should be removed to avoid risk of falling deadwood, irrespective of whether the house type remains as a Cambridge (as approved) or is changed to an Oxford. The Forrester also advised that the two ashes should be replaced with either Hawthorn or Goat Willow which both have ‘stumpy’ growth shapes and will not reintroduce future

risk of falling dead wood. We are therefore proposing, as part of this planning application to remove and replace tree T1 & T2. Please see e-mail sent to Planning department dated 20th October providing feedback after meeting with Mr Jason Bolt of Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.

Reduction in provision of public open space

The larger plot size to support the Oxford house type will result in a reduction of 37sqm in the total provision of public open space, from 5,144sqm down to 5107sqm. Whilst the reduction is regrettable, the site will still retain large areas of useable open space, including the fully equipped playground, and it has been acknowledged that the facilities at the nearby football club is in easy reach and will mean that the site is well catered for in terms of open and leisure space.

Summary

The change in the house type for Plot 84 will have limited visual impact and will provide the purchaser with the accommodation they require in their preferred location.

We trust that this information is helpful in the determination of this planning application but should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the writer.

Yours faithfully,

George Li

For and on behalf of Hartford Homes

George Li

Subject: FW: Cronk Cullyn, Colby Attachments: Cronk Cullyn Tree T1 & T2 assessment..pdf; 20141020153450118.pdf; Cronk Cullyn tree T1 & T2.jpg

From: George Li Sent: 20 October 2014 15:36 To: 'Corlett, Sarah' Cc: 'Bolt, Jason' Subject: RE: Cronk Cullyn, Colby

Hi Sarah

Jason and his colleague, Andrew, were kind enough to spare me some time this morning to inspect the tree (T1) in question. Jason and Andrew’s recommendation (unprompted from me!) was that not only was tree T1 but also T2, both Ashes, are of poor quality and should be removed. Their reasoning for this are;

• Both trees contain a large amount of dead wood at high level which will be prone to falling.
• The trees are of low quality and have little landscape value.
• Whilst the trees may be Ok for the next 5 to 10 years, they will degrade with age.
• The trees being removed could be replaced with Willows (Goat??) or hawthorn, or other indigenous species, with have a ‘stumpy’ growth pattern, similar to the planting next to the watercourse. This would avoid future risk of falling deadwood.
• The Hawthorn currently growing between the two ashes could have its trunk part cut and pegged to the ground to encourage layered growth.

Jason suggested the two trees should be removed whether or not the changes to plot 84 are progressed with, given the poor condition of the two trees.

Given the above, and of course the other planning considerations, would you be able to support this application?

Best wishes

George

Jason, please feel free to correct me if I have noted anything incorrectly.

George Li Architect

Hartford Homes Ltd, Middle River, Douglas, Isle of Man, British Isles, IM2 1AL Telephone: +44(0)1624 631000 Fax: +44(0)1624 631001 email: [email protected]

Visit http://www.hartford.im for our : Latest Homes for Sale • Latest Rental Properties