Additional Planning Support Letter
Department of Environment, Food \& Agriculture, Planning \& Building Control Directorate, Murray House, Mount Havelock, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 2SF
11 July 2023
Application: 23/00359/B
Project: Erection of an agricultural polytunnel, and a workshop with attached equipment store. The installation of ground mounted solar panels. At: Field 420426 - Ballacannell, Earystane, Colby IM9 4HN Re: Additional information to support the Planning Application
Further to discussions and advice from the Planning Case Officer, Mrs Vanessa Porter, we have submitted the following amended and additional information to support the above application:-
- Site Boundary: The Location Plan (Ref:1912/01A) and Site Plans (Ref:1912/20A \& 21B) have been modified to exclude the existing orchard from the application, as there are no works relating to planning policies proposed in this area.
- Greenhouse: Details of the existing greenhouse have now been included. See drawing Ref: 1912 / 25.
- Fencing: Details of the mesh fencing to the border of the large vegetable patch have also been provided (See attached photographs). This provides a windbreak, with treated timber fencing posts with proprietary plastic mesh between to provide a windbreak approximately 1 m high.
- Small Sheds: There are currently 2 two small prefabricated sheds along the northern boundary that contain general gardening equipment etc; which are used to tend the vegetable patch (See photographs ). The contents of the sheds will be moved into the new Workshop \& Store and the redundant sheds will be removed.
- Workshop/Store:
Justification of size: To provide additional clarity to justify the size of the new timber structure, we have provided an updated plan to better indicate the layout and use of the building (Ref: 1912/22A). Primarily it will be used for the storage of equipment to maintain the horticultural plot eg. ride-on mower, small trailer, wheelbarrows, strimmers, as well as a workspace for general repairs; construction of planting supports etc; including a potting area and a space to sit or shelter rather than having to go back and forth to the main house.
The design of the workshop reflects that of the existing greenhouse, where salvaged and recycled double glazed units have been incorporated into a timber frame structure, and finished with timber cladding.
Location: The location of the building had originally been selected as it was away from the main dwelling. It is situated in a sunny position and by being in the upper corner of the field it is partly screened from view by the existing high grassed embankment on two sides. It also allows the applicants to enjoy an overview of the entire horticultural area.
Following further discussions and a site visit by the Ecosystems Policy Officer, Sophie Costain, the location of the workshop was deemed appropriate as it was located on an area of the field that had suffered the most historically from poor management and had little value from a habitat or grassland point of view. Location of the workshop in this area allows for other areas of the site with greater potential to become re-established and therefore enhance the quality of the landscape and biodiversity.
We hope that this provides the information and clarification required to complete the planning report and recommendations.
Yours faithfully,
Samuel T Samson BA. Dip.Arch
