MVF 001 Planning Statement
To who ever is viewing this application 27th February 2003
This document concerns the application for relaxation of condition 4 of the original planning consent for the redevelopment of MEARY VOAR FARM, SANTON, condition 4 specifically refers to an agricultural residence only use of the flat. The original planning consent was referenced 94/0317 dated 21st of July 1994, a copy is enclosed for your perusal.
The flat, which we refer, has been vacant since completion. The flat comprises a kitchen and combined lounge area, with one double bedroom, one single bedroom and a bathroom.
Since 1993 the Meary Voar farm has been operated as a working farm, with a single full time “hands on” working farm manager. Over the last year the farm has been for sale on the open market, no serious purchaser for the unit as a farm has materialised. It has therefore been decided to market the property as separate units in a number of smaller lots.
The farming enterprise has been wound down and most of the livestock sold, and the former manager has been released. During his term of employment at the farm he chose to remain in Kirk Michael rather than take the flat as his accommodation, which was too small for his family.
After much consideration to the alternatives for the future use of the flat, we outline below various points for your consideration.
(A) The farm being around 200 acres if sold as a single unit, would not commercially support more than a single farm worker, on that basis the existing farm house would adequately suffice. (B) If the farm is broken up and sold in lots, and the land is managed as a separate unit it is highly unlikely that a farm worker from elsewhere would wish to buy the freehold of the flat, even at a discounted price. The estimated open market value of the flat block is around £200,000, this even if discounted by 30% would equate to a market price circa £140,000. (C) Farming being what it is at the moment, with recent animal health issues (foot & moth restrictions etc.) being foremost in everyone’s mind, it would not be ideal or practical for a farm worker to live in the flat and work at a farm elsewhere which could create bio-security risks. (D) Principally we have formed the view that any farm worker adequately capable of working the farm would like as not be married, and have a family with a basic requirement for at least a three-bedroom accommodation as a minimum. (E) If this application were approved, the flat would be available to be placed on the open market. With available access offered quickly on accommodation, which is currently, an unused, empty two bedroom flat.
