154890

Planning and Building Control Department of Environment Food and Agriculture Murray House Mount Havelock Douglas Isle of Man IM1 2SF

2 October 2017

FAO Jason Singleton - Planning Officer

Dear Mr Singleton

RE: Planning application 17/00812/C – without prejudice

After checking the progress of our planning application online, I see that as expected Mr Horsey has sent a long letter of complaint.

As I do not think I have previously dealt with you regarding Ballacregga/Salmon Lake Centre please permit me to give you some of its background which may be of help.

In 2008, I was approached by a director of Manx Engineers to see if I would be interested in buying their derelict factory which was nearby to the Laxey Wheel. This property had laid empty for several years and had become a blot and disgrace to this important heritage area.

Having close family connection to Agneash and the original Ballacregga farm and being in a position to do the work in conjunction with Manx National Heritage, I bought the site with the idea to put something back and turn it into a heritage function centre, with a top-class restaurant and tearooms.

Unfortunately, MNH had their budget cut and had to withdraw so I decided to carry on anyway with the full support of most of the people in the area including the Manx Government, MHK’s and the planning department.

Unfortunately, even before we signed contracts and submitted our initial plans one neighbour, Mr Horsey, started complaining about anything and everything. Please see examples as listed below: -

1. Balcony – he did not want us using this on the grounds of privacy although you cannot even see his house from this point. Unfortunately, in order to placate him I agreed not to use it.

2. We took down the trees on the opposite side of the complex from his house (for which we had a forestry licence) and he rang and had inspectors visit the site.

3. Complaints of alleged noise for which tests were carried out by Environmental Health and proved to be well within limits.

4. The original store room at the rear which is completely out of site was extended slightly within the permitted size which is shown on our plans, is used as a store and preparation area and by our lady making homemade cakes but our main kitchen is adjacent to the tearooms and restaurant as in the original plans.

5. A complaint was made to the Fisheries department about the river levels being down due to our turbine using the water. Yes it does, but the water goes back into the river. This does not affect the noise test carried out by D.E.F.A. The water wheel has always been run from the mill pond since the mid 1800's. Yes additional flood defences work has been carried out.

We also had a further series of objections when applying for an alcohol licence three times regarding functions, hours and numbers of functions. Thankfully the Licencing Bench were very helpful and we agreed not to use the main road entrance doors during large functions but to use the new lakeside entrance with its own smoking area, which is well away from our neighbours but obviously we can use other entrances to the restaurant and tearoom for guests to enter and exit. All windows are kept closed, as we are fully airconditioned, but doors cannot be locked for fire escape regulations.

Mr Horsey, who also acts as a Special Policeman, has recently caused more upset to our staff by peering through the windows at night and on one occasion when we had a middle-aged couple from a church group got married with no music, he arrived in police uniform and in a police car to a non-existent fight.

At this point we had to make an official complaint to Inspector Andrew Kneen Head of Northern Policing who met with myself. We understand Mr Horsey was interviewed and is now not permitted to come near our complex as you cannot investigate a complaint in the police made by yourself, by yourself in uniform.

I am aware that the Licencing Court and the Police are very satisfied with the way in which Ballacregga/Salmon Lake Centre is being run, in fact we would be pleased if you care to contact them to confirm we run a good orderly establishment.

In order to help the situation, I would be pleased to further accept the following planning and licencing conditions: -

1. Any large gatherings of the public using the main function centre area must not use the balcony and continue to use the lakeside entrance and smoking area only including entry and exiting the building.

2. The extractor fan from the confectionary preparation area be fitted with a filter and diverted to the opposite side of the buildings.

If I can be of any further help or you require any additional information I will be pleased to assist (464614).