APL Planning Statement
Introduction The proposed site is located adjacent to Friary Farm, Main Road, Ballabeg. The site’s boundary is up to the main road (1m high stone wall). To the south of the site is the main farmhouse of Friary Farm. In the south-east corner is a small grouping of existing trees. The site is located close to existing properties on the main road in Ballabeg and Friary Park (155 houses estate). The site is located on a bus route and within walking distance to Arbory Primary School (540m approx.), the school which 4 generations of Rachael’s family have attended and the applicant’s two young children will attend. Planning Policy The site is not zoned for residential use and is adjacent to land zoned as Public Park.
- • Strategic Policy 2 & Housing Policy 4 – The site is located within the existing settlement of Ballabeg and is close to existing dwellings and Friary Farm. The site is within walking distance to bus stops, schools and shops and we consider that the proposal will fall under Sustainable Urban Extension.
- • Environmental Policy 42 – The site has been designed to be screened by the existing trees which will be retained and built close to existing buildings. The design of the property is in keeping with Ballabeg village and reflects the finishes and unique style of Friary Farm.
- • Spatial Vision - The Strategic Objectives and Strategic Policies direct that the focus of new development should be within existing towns and villages or in sustainable urban extensions, avoiding coalescence of settlements and maintaining their local identity. The proposed dwelling would be finished with stonework in keeping with other properties in the village and incorporate steep gables to the highway elevation to reflect some of the features of Friary Farm
Proposals Due to the shape of the field and existing trees it is not regularly used for farming purposes. The applicants are part of the family that operate Friary Farm but are not employed by the farm. The reason for this is that the family business doesn’t require extra paid labour full-time but there are times when help is needed, so it would be beneficial to be close at hand to assist in spare time at busy periods/when family are sick or off-island. They also wish to be close to their family for personal reasons:
- 1. So the grandparents can be involved with looking after their young children as both are in full-time employment elsewhere
- 2. So they can assist with aging parents who are nearing retirement age
- 3. For the children to be brought up around the farm which the family have been farming for over 100 years and learn about helping family in times of need (good family values)
The dwelling has been located close to the highway and close to existing farmhouse and other existing properties in Ballabeg to minimise impact.
The area between the proposed dwelling and existing farmhouse is a vegetable plot, the applicants would look to grow more crops in that space and be as self-sufficient as possible from a food produce perspective.
The proposed house is positioned to be partially screened by the existing trees which they wish to retain.
The house has also been positioned away from the flood risk areas highlighted on the flood maps.
The site is also a sustainable location as it’s within walking distance to the regular bus route (10m), primary school (540m), local shop and public house (both 1500m).
The proposed entrance is located to the north of the site to avoid tree loss and achieve the required vision splay. With regards to the services the proposal leverages existing foul and storm drainage, along with existing electricity and water supplies. The dwelling has been designed to achieve high standard of insulation and incorporate solar panels and ASHP to reduce energy consumption.
Landscaping and a thriving wildlife has been well considered within the proposal keeping existing trees, planting native species and also planting a mixed native hedge along the boundary.
