With regard to planning in principle at Ballaquaggan Farm, Douglas Road Ballasalla.
Myself and my partner currently live in a two bed cottage belonging to my parents at Ballaquaggan Farm, we have two children a boy aged 7 years and a 5 month old girl, who is currently sharing our bedroom. Although this is acceptable at the moment, she will need her own room soon. As you are aware, Ballaquaggan was bought 5 years ago and has 4 properties in total. Three of these properties are two bedroom, and the main farm house is a three bedroom. These all belong to my parents, and are currently occupied by my grandmother, who is looked after by my mother due to ill health. My sister and her small daughter also occupy a two bed cottage, she has learning difficulties, and although aged twenty one years she has the mental age of a fourteen year old, so she needs to be near my parents for support and supervision. My parents occupy the three bed farmhouse, and are not due for retirement in the forceable future, although when they do decide to retire, the handling of the farm will be left to myself and my family. I currently work on the farm, and also do some part time agricultural contracting.
As you will see from the DAFF labour requirments, Ballaquaggan is a large farm and takes many man hours to keep it running smoothly, especially at calving time and during the sowing and harvest times, and also the winter months when the cattle are brought in for feeding.
The labour unit required for this size farm is almost three. My father and I can manage this requirement provided that I am "On Hand", to help with the late and early morning calvings and the feeding regimes especially in the winter months which are intensive from oct - april.
If I am unsuccessful with this application, we will have to look for alternative larger accomodation off the farm, which could cause possible welfare issuse at calving time.
I hope you look favourably upon this application as this is my vocation in life and I want to provide my stock with the best possible care.
yours sincerly
Mr Jeff Fargher
RE: Board of Agriculture and fisheries division Calculation for labour units for DAFF recommendations.
