Agent Planning Statement
Received 26-3-0+ DOLGE 04 0439 Town and Country Planning Acto 1999 PLANNING and PLANNING MAIL Geoffrey Clark Bachelor of Town Planning Initial Revelon Decision Appeal Decision Amended
33 BALLAQUARK DOUGLAS ISLE OF MAN IM2 2EY
Telephone: 01624 621358
Application for a dwelling for Mr & Mrs Cannell.
Mr & Mrs Cannell have lived and worked at Farrants Fort for over 10 years, but have always lived in the area, previously farming at Ballacleator. Farrants Fort is a fifteen acre working small-holding, with B&B for up to 5 guests in the farmhouse. They grow vegetables and a few sheep. Due to an accident 4 years ago when Mr John Cannell was run over by his tractor he is no longer able to do heavy lifting work. As he is now 73 and his wife Ruth is over retirement age, they both wish to retire properly.
The Cannells do not want to build at Farrants Fort as it will not be staying in the family. They consider that to build close to Farrants Fort with a different family in occupation will lead to problems and be unneighbourly. It will also unbalance the layout and operational convenience that exists there at present.
The chosen site is on land that has always been separate from Farrants Fort and will remain so. There is an existing access across a verge to a gateway into the field. For drivers leaving the land after exiting the field there are good sight lines and space to halt a vehicle before entering the carriageway. The location has been chosen because from the road it is reasonably well screened by two hedges which will provide some degree of noise reduction at the dwelling and mitigate visual intrusion.
They owned the seven acres (including the application site) at Cronk Glass before moving to Farrants Fort. They also owned one field (122719) adjacent Lough Cottage on Bernahara Road on which they had once hoped to build a retirement dwelling, but having been advised by the Planning Officer that sporadic ribbon development would not be allowed on it, sold it to the owner of Lough Cottage. A private dwelling is now being built there (PA 02/1809).
That a private dwelling is now being built in the field 122719 (previously owned by the Cannells) next to Lough Cottage is evidence that sporadic or ribbon development is not unacceptable to the Planning Committee. The applicant had not lived there long, but pleaded special circumstances and was allowed to build a new house without condition. Mr & Mrs Cannell have a far longer affinity with the area than Mr Fitzwilliam at Lough Cottage, and their need also is now to retire for reasons of health and age. they feel that if a newcomer can build a bungalow for private occupation then they should also be allowed to do so. However, they meet the criteria in Planning Circular 3/88 for a dwelling for retiring farmworkers, and if necessary will accept this as a condition of approval.
G.A.Clark 26th March 2004
Director : G. A. Clark
