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| Received | 18 NOV 2014 |
| DEPARTMENT OF FEDERAL RESERVE AGENCY | DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE |
| PLANNING & ADVISING CONTROL | PLANNING & ADVISING CONTROL |
| OWN AND DEVELOPMENT | PLANNING |
This additional information is provided subsequent to discussions with the planning officer Mr Chris Balmer at the planning office on 6th November 2014. The client was also present at this meeting.
Mr Balmer had concerns over the amount of luminance and possible light spillage that would have an effect on the area, which is designated as one with “high landscape value”. The concern was mainly the affect the lighting proposals would have on the view from the main A2 road as the views between this road and the application site is unrestricted. This can be seen on drawing PTA 160-05 and 06-a plan showing the location of, and the daytime photographs.
After discussion it was agreed that further consideration would be given to the application upon receipt of further information once investigations had been made.
Items agreed at the meeting to review were:-
18 NOV 2014
Further investigation was carried out with regards the type of fitting, the light that would be acceptable for the use. Modern lighting schemes that have been successful in their application have utilised LED fittings. With this in mind a lighting design and assessment has been carried out using a modern LED fitting.
In conjunction with item 1 the project was re-visited and alternative designs have been prepared. After discussion with the designers and a visit to the car park project in Ramsey that is referred to, an alternative design was investigated. The lux levels achieved in the Ramsey project was in the region of 10 (as an average). This is an adequate level of lighting for a car park, but below the level deemed adequate for safe use for a riding facility.
The amended design scheme that is favoured utilised the same lighting head that had been used in Ramsey, on a 5.0m column. This revised scheme also reduced the number of columns / lights to 6, giving an average lux level of just under 32.
The lighting level is lower than that of the 8 column proposal and less than half that of the original proposal (in the region of 100 lux.) It is felt that the level of illumination will be adequate for the exercising of the horses, based on the facility being provided for winter training. It is not the intention for competitions to be held in the arena during times that require lighting.
To minimise the impact of the proposed installation screen planting has been proposed. This would be located at the southern end of the arena, which is the end that is most visible from the main road. The proposal would be to use an evergreen tree that would blend in with the landscape – not to look out of place. This could be a Norwegian spruce as this is recognised as a good screening plant. The proposal resisted the use of Leyland Cypress (cupressocyparis lelandii) as whilst these are fast growing they have potential negative long term effects. At the meeting it was acknowledged that the use of screen planning would take time to reach its full effect. The proposal would be for the planting to be semi mature trees – possible 3-4m tall so as to reduce the period the arena is “unscreened”.
Also an evergreen was selected as if a deciduous species was used – it would have no leaves in the winter – the time when the evenings are dark early when the proposed lighting would be used.
The existing Manx sod bank with its wild hedgerow top is approximately 2.m high which provides some immediate low level screening.
Refer to drawing PTA – 160 – 10 and 11 for the revised site plan and a typical section showing heights in the area.
Drawing PTA 160-06 shows the landscape view from the main A2 road, and an area located on Baldrine park – directly south of the application site. The area of the application site has been identified on this photograph.
It should be noted that from these photographs the arena is barely visible as it is screened behind the existing sod hedges and the wild hedgerows that are evident between the road and the site.
It should also be noted that only the existing barn and top half of the parked horse vehicles are visible. The revised column height would be below the height of the existing barn. The section drawing shows the heights of these components within the landscape.
Note also the existing mature trees that are visible to the south east of the site, adjacent to the existing buildings.
Photographs have been taken at night time from the same locations as identified on plan ref PTA160 -05. In these images – on drawing PTA 160-07, the existing lighting to the gable can be seen – which was included in the permission ref 14/00203/B. Additionally some bright lights that are to adjacent property further up the hillside are visible. These lights are not in the control of the applicant.
Drawing PTA 160 – 08 – shows the proposed lighting scheme – and using the revised lower lighting (lux) levels and the reduced column height, the impact is minimal. The existing building and street lighting to Baldrine road are identified also.
This image is intended to show the affect the lights will have, and this doesn't include for the screening that the future planting will provide. Additionally, the lighting to the arena will only, as stated previously, be used in the early part of the evening and not past 8pm.
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