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The Cregg Mill at Silverdale Glen comprises of three floors, the upper two floors are currently let to Trail Lodge Limited for the purpose of Tourist Accommodation. The business commenced in December 2019 having been granted planning permission in July 2017.
Despite the effects of the current pandemic, the business has traded successfully without the borders being open. The design and quality of the accommodation that we offer has been particularly appealing to the guests that have stayed at Trail Lodge, this is evidenced in Appendix 1 which details all the reviews that the business has received on both Tripadvisor and Facebook, all reviews have achieved five star status.
This application seeks to achieve planning consent for the conversion of the lower ground floor to create three en-suite bedrooms along with a communal kitchen and dining room for the guests. Each room will accommodate up to two people and will result in a net increase of only three extra persons per night across the whole property. The reason for this is the reduction from four rooms to three in the floor above, one bedroom has been removed on this floor to create an extra communal room. This proposed new configuration will result in reduced numbers congregating on the top floor enabling guests to enjoy their own privacy on each floor space.
The change of use will be beneficial to the property as it will benefit from increased insulation and heating that will help preserve the materials and fabric of the building.
The lower ground floor benefits from two parking spaces on the slope approaching the entrance, this will have a more or less negative impact on car parking. Once the ice cream manufacturing facility is relocated, there will be no more coach tours to the factory, this will have a positive effect on the area parking and will be less intrusive to neighbouring properties. Appendix 2 highlights the existing issue of coaches absorbing parking space from visits to the ice cream factory.
The current Management Plan for the operation of the Tourist Accommodation business is currently successful, there have been no issues raised by any residents to date and we expect this to continue.
BUILDING CO/RECEIVED ON 24 JUN 2021
OCT OF ENVIRONMENT AND ASSOCIATION
The Cregg Mill at Silverdale is located on the bank of the Silverburn River in Silverdale Glen, the property was constructed circa 1823 for the milling of corn by the Monks at nearby Rushen Abbey. A five metre water wheel is located on the North elevation of the building, this was originally used for the milling of corn and has latterly been refurbished to produce renewable energy for the tourist accommodation that is currently located on the upper two floors.
Having occupied various units within the Silverdale Complex for the past ten years I have only experienced a high level of water that could potentially enter the property on one occasion, this was in December 2015 when the Island experienced some of its worst Island wide flooding. Although the river was untypically high during this period of flooding, the water did not reach the entrance of the Cregg Mill lower floor where the change of use is proposed.
Given the changes in climate that we are currently experiencing, it would be prudent to plan for the seasonal increases in regard to rainfall and subsequent flooding. The lower floor to the Cregg Mill is approximately two metres higher than the current level of water on the river. If we were to experience high levels of water, in excess to 2015, then flood defences may be required.
A practical solution without the need for construction would be a natural rise of the river bank using soil and vegetation, this could be backed up by a movable gate or barrier at the entrance to the property. A third, and permanent solution would be to create a Manx stone wall around the perimeter of the external area.
The lower ground floor where the change of use is proposed, has not been subjected to flooding at present and has not experienced water ingress even at the highest level of flooding some six years ago. However, I believe it is in the best interest of the Company to plan for a worst case scenario. It would be sensible to begin with less intrusive measures such as the installation of a movable barrier to the property entrance and, or the raising of the river bank around the external area with soil and vegetation.
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