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18th August 2013.
The Secretary. Planning Committee, Department of Infrastructure, Planning and building Control, Murray House, Mount Havelock, Douglas. Isle of Man.
Dear Sirs,
RE : Proposed (agricultural workers) dwelling and garage at “Ballashamrock Farm”, Port Soderick, Braddan. Isle of Man. For Mr and Mrs Kelly.
Please find enclosed copy of our planning application prepared in connection with the above together with the following supporting letter which has been prepared to assist your department in processing the submission.
This application seeks detailed planning approval to construct a new agricultural workers dwelling and garage on the site of an existing redundant farm building, which is to be demolished as part of the proposals, should the planning application be approved.
“Ballashamrock Farm” is amalgamated with the nearby “Southampton Farm” and is operated as a single farm under the umbrella of “Ballashamrock Farm Limited”.
340 acres in total - 297 tenanted / owned and 43 acres contract farmed. (on average - 240 acres of temporary grassland and 100 acres arable cropping) Current livestock. 140 dairy cows, 38 in calf heifers, 15 bulling heifers and 53 other cattle. Approval was granted for additional agricultural buildings at the “Southampton Farm” site (PA 11/01620/B) a couple of years ago to cater for both current needs and future expansion of the farm. Erection of these buildings is currently underway.
Included with this submission is a report that has been prepared by the Agricultural directorate of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.
The report states that the farm requires 4 full time persons to run the operation based on figures within the SAC Farm management Handbook 25th edition, published September 2004, page 281.
It is relevant that the farm is currently operated by 3 people and it would be justified to employ an additional person to assist with the running of the farm.
Mr and Mrs Kelly (applicants) currently run the farm with their son in law Mr David Collister who lives at the farmhouse at “Southampton Farm”.
Continued.
The applicants currently live in rented accommodation at “Ballashamrock Farm” which is located directly behind and abuts “Ballashamrock House”. The property has a footprint of approximately 11 metres x 8.4 metres and has accommodation split over 2 floor levels. The size equates to an area of around 184.8 sq metres or 1989 square feet. The applicants are simply tenants of the property and do not own the building. It is relevant that the building is in need of modernisation and has a poor outlook being directly on the farm yard and set behind “Ballashamrock House”.
There are 2 bungalow situated near the main entrance lane to “Ballashamrock Farm”. “Millside” is a retirement dwelling and is occupied by the applicants mother and sister. The applicants mother is retired from farming and owns the property. The property is not available for occupation by the applicants.
“Ballashamrock Cottage” is owned and occupied by the applicants brother and his family. The property was associated with the farm many years ago when the brother worked on the farm. The brother purchased the property outright in 1991 and has not worked on the farm for many years. When purchased the only proviso was that the building had to be sold back to the Government if sold within 15 years. This property is no longer associated with the farm and it does not now have an agricultural tie. The property is not available for occupation by the applicants.
“Southampton Farm” has an existing farmhouse located adjacent to agricultural buildings. The property is owned and occupied by the applicants son in law and his family - Mr David Collister who works on the farm. The property is not available for occupation by the applicants.
“Ballashamrock Farm” directly abuts the rear of “Ballashamrock House” and is the current rented accommodation occupied by the applicants. This property could be allocated for a farm worker and his family if planning approval is obtained for the proposals.
“Ballashamrock House” is a neighbouring property currently unoccupied and is in the separate ownership of Richmond Estates Ltd. The applicants have no control over this property.
The proposed dwelling complies with planning criteria regarding siting, design and justification. The building would be located adjacent to existing farm buildings and accessed via an existing farm access lane / yard area. The building would equate to an area of 231.96 square metres in size and represent an approximate modest increase of around 26% on the applicants current living accommodation.
continued.
The applicants are a genuine Manx farming family who simply wish to improve their current living standards and own their own property in close proximity to their work.
The proposal would facilitate that process and free up their current rented accommodation for a fourth full time worker on the farm.
The applicants are prepared to accept an agricultural tie on the proposed property should the application be approved.
We trust the enclosed is in order and would be pleased if you would place the application before your committee in due course for their necessary consideration and favourable approval.
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require any further information or assistance in this matter.
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