Manx National Heritage Comments

Presenters of the Award-winning Story of Mann

Manx National Heritage, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 3LY. Eiraght Ashoonagh Vannin, Doolish, Ellan Vannin IM1 3LY.

Telephone: +44 (0)1624 648000 Fax: +44 (0)1624 648001 Website: www.gov.im/mnh E-mail: [email protected]

Director / Stiureyder: Stephen Harrison M.B.E., B.A., F.S.A., F.M.A., F.S.A. (Scot.), M.I.Mgt. Our Ref: 08-02272/ACCJ 13th January 2009

Ms E J Callow Department of Local Government and the Environment Murray House Mount Havelock DOUGLAS

Dear Ms Callow

P.A. 08/02272/B: Mr W Callister - Erection of a replacement lean to barn, Sound Farm, Sound Road, Cregneash, Rushen

I write on behalf of the Trustees of Manx National Heritage, whose statutory responsibilities pertaining to protection of the cultural and natural heritage of the Isle of Man are defined under the terms of the Manx Museum and National Trust Act.

Manx National Heritage draws the Committee’s attention to our previously expressed concerns made in relation to development at this site. This is the fifth application made for the creation of modern barns since 1989 (PA Nos 88/4599, 93/0506, 00/01581 and 05/00363 refer to previous cases), together representing, by our estimate, a more than four-fold increase in the shelter provided by farm buildings at this location based on building footprint. We note that the replacement structure is more than three times larger than the building it is to replace, and is also taller.

We wish to remind the Committee that the visual and historical significance of the Meayll peninsula is recognised by its designation since 1982 as a special planning area within which permitted development rights have been removed, and by its proposed candidacy as a National Heritage Area.

The historical and natural interest of the Meayll peninsula (together with the Calf of Man, which also lies within the proposed NHA designation) lies in its dramatic scenic quality, in the sites of archaeological and ecological interest that lie within it, and most obviously in the village of Cregneash and the pattern of fields, crops and hedgelines that surround it. The fields and surviving traditional stone outbuildings of Sound Farm make an important and significant visual contribution to this landscape.

We believe that visual impact is an important issue when considering this application, particularly given the well-developed network of public footpaths in the area, and the extensive areas which are open to public ramblage.

GULFONAIAN MUSEUM AND GALLERY AWARD

Manx National Heritage Eiraght Ashoonagh Vannin

RECEIVED ON 15 JAN 2009 DEPT. OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT

GULFONAIAN MUSEUM OF THE YEAR

Manx National Heritage is the Registered Business Name of the Manx Museum & National Trust which operates under its own Act of Tynwald and is Registered Charity No. 603 in the Isle of Man.

Whilst we believe that this application may lie within generally acceptable visual bounds, we believe that the Planning Committee must be convinced of this itself, perhaps if necessary through a visit to the area. The Planning Committee may wish to consider whether the potential visual intrusion caused by this scheme could be ameliorated in any way. In so doing, we would ask the Committee to give consideration to the effectiveness of existing landscaping at Sound Farm as required under previous planning approvals.

We trust that the Committee will give these matters the most careful consideration before reaching a decision.

Yours sincerely

A.C.C. Johnson Curator