57682

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Sunset Lakes, Ballagyr Lane, Peel, Isle of Man

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Statement to accompany the Planning application

June 2021

Prepared by:

Ellis Brown, Architects 12 Strathallan Crescent, Queen’s Promenade, Douglas IM2 4NR

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Sunset Lakes, Ballagyr Lane, Peel, Isle of Man

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This application is for a variation of condition 9 of PA 12/01140/B, approved on 18 December 2014, in which the use of the buildings within the site were restricted to those that are identified in that application.

The condition wording reads: -

9. The use of each building hereby approved shall be limited to that for which planning approval has been specifically granted and for no other purpose. The education centre shall be used solely for wildlife -related activities.

This application is for the variation of the use of the education centre, to permit additional use of the building. The application seeks that the building can also be used for activities associated with the other uses of the site, namely the Café, fishing activities, and the holiday lodge accommodation.

These activities would operate by private hire arrangement for functions, including but not limited to:-

• Private functions associated with the hire of the café building. (e.g. weddings / private celebrations). • Events relating to the fishing operation, possible angling club meetings. • Corporate events, such as team building that would also utilise other facilities of the complex. • These events may be catered events, by either the café business or outside catering by arrangement.

The proposal for these uses is in addition to the uses currently in operation at the building, being educational and wildlife related.

The additional uses are proposed to retain the same opening hours in the day coinciding with the opening time of the remainder of the elements in the complex. These are namely 07.00 hrs to 23.00hrs as approved under PA 18/00885/B, dated October 2018.

The application emanates in part from the recent pandemic and associated restrictions, and the subsequent increased demand for facilities such as this as the desire to travel further afield for such events has declined. (due to both restrictions and personal preference)

The complex has recently had new management and their ambition is to enhance the use of the complex working in association with the “visit Isle of Man” strategy of the government.

The application also seeks approval for the siting of temporary structures (marquees) in the area adjacent to the current building.

In the approval 12/01140/B this area was identified as an area planted up and including a “dipping pond”.

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Sunset Lakes, Ballagyr Lane, Peel, Isle of Man

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Wildlife events that have taken place have found that the fishing lakes themselves offer greater opportunity for the observation, investigation and education of wildlife, being rich in a diverse variety of species.

The “dipping pond” and the adjacent “garden” area were subject to becoming waterlogged and un-usable; thus, the area has been improved by the installation of artificial turf. This gives an ample and versatile space for outdoor classroom / group activities, and an area that offers expansion which could accommodate temporary structures such as marquees.

The recent shut down of the site to visitors due to the pandemic has impacted on the Sunset lakes complex and this application seeks to enable the facility to be able to operate to a wider market and become sustainable as a long-term prospect.

It is hoped that the ambition of the new management team is match by that of the planning authority to revive this quality community facility for recreation as well as education.

Documents included with this application.

Ellis Brown Drawings:-

18/2691/06 Site Plan, Plans and elevations of education centre - as approved.

18/2691/ E / 100 - Location plan as existing

18/2691 / E / 101 Site plan Plans and elevations of education centre - as existing.

Existng photos :-

General external photos showing the existing situation. - Appendix A

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Sunset Lakes, Ballagyr Lane, Peel, Isle of Man

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Appendix A - Existing site photos.

Entrance to education centre area of complex.

View from education centre South over the fishing lakes

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Sunset Lakes, Ballagyr Lane, Peel, Isle of Man

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General view of building and area subject to this application

Wider view facing west. Left to right: - Fishing lake, Shop Café complex, Play area, Education centre.