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MILNTOWN LEZAYRE ROAD RAMSEY
For
THE MILNTOWN TRUST
RECEIVED ON 19 NOV 2007 DEPT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Prepared By: Savage & Chadwick Architects Merchants House 24 North Quay Douglas IM1 4LE
November 2007
a. Preamble b. Design Intent
Milntown is a large, registered, historic estate situated in the north of the Isle of Man and contains a 44 room Mansion House, two cottages, a mill, garages, greenhouses and other outbuildings. The 22.5 acres of estate grounds incorporate woodland, parkland, walled orchard, walled kitchen and fruit gardens, fishpond, millpond, millstream and many beautiful borders. The present structure of the House was completed by 1830, but it is believed that substantial parts of the building date back to the 16th century.
The Estate was owned by the Christian family for almost 600 years, having been purchased in the early 15th century. The direct family line died out in 1918. The Christian's were very important and powerful people, with most of the male members of the family holding the office of Deemster (Judge) in the Isle of Man, or other high office. Illiam Dhone, the Manx national martyr during the Civil War period, was born and lived in the house and Fletcher Christian (of Mutiny on the Bounty fame) was from the same family.
After the Estate was originally disposed of by the Christian family, in the late 19th century, the House and grounds were used to provide a girl's school. The property subsequently became a hotel and a pub, before returning into private hands.
On the death of its last owner, Sir Clive Edwards, in 1999 the Estate was left in trust, with the initial purpose being to allow Sir Clive's long time friend, Mr R D Thomas, to live out his life there. Since the death of Mr Thomas, in 2003, Milntown has been run as a private Charitable Trust, administered by four Trustees.
There are vintage car and motorcycle collections, as well as art and various other collections, attached to Milntown.
Following advice contained in a scoping study report, commissioned by the Trustees and prepared by specialist consultants, Carys Howell Associates, the Estate is now being developed so that it can be opened to the public. This was the wish and intention of Sir Clive Edwards, particularly to benefit the people of the Isle of Man and their visitors. The report anticipates that the Estate can expect to attract visitors mainly spread over the period April to October of sufficient number to support the proposals submitted. However it is considered that there is also potential for private functions and the proposed café to provide the opportunity for useful business during the rest of the year.
Initial work is being concentrated on the construction of a good quality catering outlet and shop, together with associated facilities. The grounds and gardens are receiving attention to ensure that they, also, will be suitable for opening. These two elements are being done in tandem, and will form the first phase of the development programme. It is intended that this phase will be ready for public opening in Spring 2009.
The second phase of development will be the opening up of the main rooms of the House for public admission. This is likely to involve the sympathetic refurbishment of their existing status. Although all the furniture and artefacts now in the House are from the Edwards era it is additionally hoped to locate a Christian family exhibition in one of the secondary rooms. Whilst in generally good condition external repairs and maintenance will also be required, particularly to parts of the roof.
A later phase will be the renovation of the Water Mill to a suitable and safe standard for visitors. This may include the re-instatement the necessary stones and machinery to enable milling to be undertaken. The main drive mechanisms, and the wheel, are all in place and in working order.
The proposed additions to Milntown could have been approached in two ways, either as a contemporary addition or as is submitted to follow and match the nature and detailing of the existing building.
The house clearly has a long historic past albeit during that time its architecture has evolved and responded to the fashions of various eras. The present form and appearance being the most dominant.
To the side of the house there exists at present a lean-to glazing conservatory of no particular merit and the proposal is to remove this and replace it with a modern addition but with detailing to match the house as it presently stands – see elevations as proposed. This addition and the internal alterations provide for Kitchen, Office (admin), Gift Shop and WC's (for which access for disabled is considered) and an addition which serves as Restaurant / Tearoom and the access control point for visitors for the tour of the mature landscaped grounds of Milntown House.
In order to close off a direct route past the house and to integrate the restaurant with the orchard garden the new addition penetrates the existing garden wall to enable a physical and visual link between these two areas.
The existing house wall finish is of smooth render and any new work to the addition would replicate this. Also the window proportions are intended to reflect the existing.
The existing site has two principal access points – Lezayre Road and Glen Auldyn Road. It is proposed and as a principal has been agreed with those with whom this application has been discussed that the scheme has a one way through route. Vehicles and coaches will enter from Lezayre Road and leave via the Glen Auldyn Road. As can been seen, from the enclosed photographs, tests have been carried out relative to the accessibility for coaches. With minor adjustments at both entrances and with an understanding that coaches may only access from the Ramsey direction into Milntown, the Department of Transport were satisfied as to the ability for coach tour groups to gain access to this important site.
The site plan enclosed indicates the requirements for access, parking, coach parking, disabled parking and the anticipated route for visitors to Milntown through the 'garden' area to create a visitor experience as was the wish of Sir Clive Edwards when he generously left his home in Trust for the Manx people.
The attached are views of the existing house and its replacement with a new dwelling
Typical present day detailing
Existing lean-to which is proposed to be removed
As attached.
Health and Safety at Work Inspectorate Murray House, Mount Havelock, Douglas Isle of Man, email: [email protected] Tel: (01624) 687302 Fax: (01624) 685160 Director of Environment, Safety and Health Martin R. Hall
Please reply to Mr S Bentham, Senior Health and Safety Inspector
Our ref: SB/Milntown Date: 8th May 2007.
Mr P. Slinger Parkinson Group Ltd Peel Road Braddan
Dear Sir
RE: Health & safety at Milntown Mansion
Thank you for allowing Mr Rowaichi and myself the opportunity to visit the above property in advance of it opening to members of the public.
I would like to confirm the advice given during the visit:
I understand that consideration is being given to the introduction of a one-way traffic system. In principle I would view this as helpful to members of the public. You may wish to seek the views of Mr Foster of Department of Transport, Highways Division, Sea Terminal.
The pathway from the waterwheel and the 'change of direction' at the mill pond would benefit from a guard rail. This could be achieved in materials that fit into the architecture of the property. It is also desirable that two throwing aids are sited for use in an emergency.
I see no problems to this area being opened up. It would require guarding to prevent access to the moving parts of the waterwheel; this is normally achieved with clear plastic.
If the main house is to be open to the public it is desirable that a fire detection and alarm system is fitted. Other historic buildings have achieved this by using radio detection with minimum internal disruption. Building Control can advise prior to future works.
Thank you for allowing us time to visit and for the opportunity to view the exhibits.
Please do not hesitate to contact Mr Rowaichi or myself if we can be of any further assistance.
S. Bentham, MSc, CFIOSH Senior Health & Safety Inspector
c.c. Mr Rowaichi, Planning & Building Control
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