Photographic Evidence Portfolio

A distant photograph of a hillside residential area with a black arrow pointing to a white building, labeled 'Photograph 9' in the corner.

Photograph 9 is a view taken from across the valley on the main road running down into Laxey. The large property (arrowed) with the apex glazing is the first property under development in Area 7, land between Kings End and Ballaquirk Cottage, the subject of photograph 7. Clearly if three properties of this size and proportion are built, they will have a significant, but seemingly acceptable impact on the landscape. The high wall and gate entrances can also be seen.

Photograph 10 shows a newly constructed property on the Ramsey Road side of this area. This property has been built adjacent to the property known as Sarasota and is immediately below the property mentioned above (apex glazing).

Under the Laxey and Lonan Plan, Ramsey Road, fields 611664, 614457, 614452, known as area 7, the plan at 4.38 states:-

"It has been suggested that built development on the northern side of the road should be permitted to extend further eastwards in line with that on the lower side of the road in the form of Upper Cronk Orry; this land is not currently designated. The Department has viewed this piece of land and has concluded that it falls into two parts; the piece between Ballaquirk Lodge, Kings End and Stoneridge and the second piece to the South East of Ballaquirk Lodge. In the first case the Department would not object to the development of this piece of land on the basis that it would be infilling between existing properties. This would be for a maximum of three dwellings. The other piece however is viewed as an unwarranted expansion of buildings in the countryside towards the headland. Whilst there has been development on the lower side of the road, this is generally lower than the road and is not conspicuous whereas development on the top side of the road would be visually conspicuous. There are also water supply problems in this area which would support fewer rather than more dwellings".

page - 4 -

A photograph showing a white, two-story detached house with a driveway, boundary walls, and surrounding vegetation.

COMMENT: The photographic evidence above shows that six properties are being built in this area, three more than were recommended under the Laxey and Lonan Plan, at least five of which are 'speculative' and for sale on the open market. The sixth is on the land area towards the headland and on the upper side of the road thereby not fulfilling the criteria of being inconspicuous. The last two statements under 4.38 therefore appear to have little or no meaning and demonstrates once more that flexibility is being used in the application of the Laxey and Lonan Plan in the desire to provide more housing in the area.

Area overlooking Laxey Harbour.

Photographs 11 and 12

This area is designated as residential, but we have included these photographs to demonstrate that what was once an area of small Manx cottages nestling in the wooded area is now being dominated by substantial properties that tower over the harbour area and are not concealed by trees as they were previously. Examining the picture more closely a Manx cottage of the type, previously on the site of the double gabled building, can be seen in the foreground, immediately under the new building.

Photograph 13

Photograph 13 is another substantial property currently under construction to the side and uphill of the property above.

page - 5 -

A photograph showing a rural construction site with a tractor in the foreground and a timber-framed building structure under construction in the background.

Photograph 14 shows a newly erected property in the heart of the village on what was previously a wooded site. Again the area is designated as 'residential'. The photograph is included to demonstrate the impact of the property and its associated driveways on the area as a whole. There has been no attempt to align the building with neighbouring properties nor build it in a style which reflects the houses around it.

A wide-angle photograph showing a new house construction site in the foreground with surrounding residential houses and fields in the background.

Photographs 15,16 and 17 Area 17 Laxey and Lonan Plan

This is an area soon to be developed and is an extension of the All Saints Park Estate which has been constructed in recent years. The photos have been included to demonstrate that in an area such as Laxey and Lonan there are very few, if any, brownfield sites suitable for residential development. As a consequence building has to take place on zoned areas which were previously green fields (agricultural land) and often in areas which would otherwise be designated as of high landscape value. Certainly the development of the All Saints Park site has led to skyline development in the area and the site can be seen from many miles around.

A photograph of a rural site showing shipping containers, agricultural machinery, and debris on a grassy field.

In the far distance (arrowed) can be seen the cluster of buildings known as Winterbrook Cottage, the subject of this application and we would aver that the impact our proposal would have on the Laxey Valley would be deminimus in the context of the development at this side of the valley, which is clearly visible from the opposite side of the valley and the surrounding areas.

A photograph showing an overgrown grassy slope with gorse bushes overlooking the sea, with wooden fencing or debris visible on the right side.

page - 6 -

A landscape photograph showing a rural valley with a black arrow pointing to a distant white building, likely indicating the site location.

Photograph 18

A wide-angle photograph showing the rural surroundings of the site, featuring grassy fields, dense hedgerows, and distant buildings on a hillside.

Showing three properties built on one farm for family members. Farm has 170 acres and runs a herd of 20 cattle. This site is immediately opposite Winterbrook Cottage on the opposite side of the valley. Properties arrowed.

A rural landscape photograph showing fields and distant buildings with arrows indicating specific sites or structures.

Photograph 19

Showing relationship between Winterbrook Cottage and Glen Drink and Croit-ny-Clybane. Both latter properties are visible from as far afield as Baldrine. Glen Drink has been extended over the years to some 250% of its original size; Croit-ny-Clybane had lost its habitation status but was reinstated as a residential dwelling some years ago. Ard Rearyt a development built around 10 years ago can be seen one field away from Winterbrook Cottage. Properties arrowed.

A landscape photograph showing a rural valley with fields and a settlement, featuring blue arrows pointing to specific buildings on the hillside.

Photograph 20

Glen Drink and Croit-y-Clybane viewed from the entrance to Winterbrook.

The sole purpose of this portfolio of photographs is to illustrate the point that any development within the Laxey and Lonan area, which is made up largely of areas of significant landscape value, wooded areas, rural areas, areas of ecological interest, beautiful coastline, and in the case of Laxey, a large conservation area, will have an impact. We believe that the impact our proposal will have on the area to be deminimus. There is no criticism, implied or otherwise of any planning decision ordevelopment which has taken place on the sites included we are merely stating the facts, substantiated by photographic evidence.

For our proposal we believe we have chosen very carefully a property the design and proportion of which, when taken in the context of the original building; its position in the landscape and within the cluster of buildings that make up the Winterbook site, will settle very quickly into its rural setting.

page - 7 -

Photographic Evidence Portfolio

Source & Provenance