Loading document...
Application No.: 05/00992/A Applicant: Mr D Brewster Proposal: Approval in principle for the erection of an agricultural dwelling Site Address: Ballacooley Farm Rhencullen Kirk Michael Isle Of Man ### Considerations Case Officer: Mr Ian Brooks Photo Taken: 20.07.2005 Site Visit: 20.07.2005 Expected Decision Level: Committee Decision ### Written Representations J.S. Kennaugh E.J. Kennaugh J.B. Kennaugh ### Consultations Consulttee: Highways Division Notes: objection Consulttee: Michael Commissioners Notes: no objection Consulttee: Daff - Wildlife & Conservation Officer Notes: see comments ### Policy
The site lies in open countryside to the north east of Kirk Michael village. The Ballacolley Farm comprises over 200 acres. It is accessed by a farm track which leads off the road serving the adjacent Ballafageen Farm. The existing farm complex comprises of a substantial agricultural barn, a silo and an adjacent yard which has been located in partly excavated land.
The proposal is for an approval in principle to site an agricultural dwelling at Ballacooley, Rhencullen.
In 1991 an application for approval in principle for the erection of an agricultural dwelling (91/01383/A) was submitted. This was refused initially, at review and appeal. This proposal was sited approximately 150m in a north east direction from the current application.
In 1997, a further application (97/00037/A) was submitted for an approval in principle to site an agricultural dwelling at the same site as previously refused. This was refused at review and at appeal.
The applicant indicated backing in 1997 that he currently owned 141 acres and rented a further 135 acres. The applicant also indicated he had an option to purchase a further 50 acres.
The current application indicates that the landholding is over 200 acres. The applicant has not indicated this is either owned or rented land.
During the appeal for application 97/00037/A, the applicant commented that since the application was submitted, the flock of breeding ewes owned had been increased from 150 to 400 including the 10 Beltex pedigree ewes which need special attention.
The applicant claims since 1997 he has increased his stock of ewes and the commencement of Highland Cattle farming. This has meant that on the grounds of husbandry and animal welfare he really needs to live on the holding. The applicant states that he has a livestock of 300 ewes and 47 Highland cattle. However, advice from Daff shows that the applicant has 348 sheep.
This shows that the number of sheep owned by the applicant has decreased since the previous application.
The Chief Agricultural Adviser at the time of the last application and advised that it is desirable on husbandry and welfare grounds that somebody lives on the holding. The Planning Committee noted that he did not say that the dwelling is essential for the running of the farm.
The current advice from the Chief Agricultural Adviser is "there is an animal welfare requirement for 24 hour supervision during the period of flock lambing and also during the cattle herd calving. However, the advice goes on to say that it is a full time unit and would generate around £10,000 per year. The Adviser recommends that this application is justified on the basis of agricultural need.
It is worth noting the applicant lived a Hollybrook at Rhencullen at the time of the previous application. Since then the applicant has now moved to Lezayre Cottage adjacent to Kelly's Industrial Yard in Kirk Michael. Where the applicant has a contracting business based at the yard. This is still in close proximity of the farm.
The inspector at the time of the 1997 application concluded that
"the case in support of the proposal however is related to the needs of his stock. For most of the year the location of the main land blocks of the holding are such that it does not seem to be any more convenient to oversee the welfare of the sheep in the field form the proposed site for the new dwelling. His existing dwelling is close to about half the holding and in the area where additional land may be acquired. At lambing time I accept that someone needs to be on hand 24 hours a day."
The inspector was not convinced that the number of weeks involved constitutes an overriding need for a new agricultural dwelling in the countryside and had taken not that the Chief Agricultural Adviser also did not regard it essential for someone to live on site. The Minister agreed with the recommendation of the appointed person and directed that the decision of the Planning Committee to refuse the application be confirmed.
In light of the history of the previous application, and being no significant material change in the circumstances since the previous application, I therefore recommend that Planning Permission be refused.
Recommended Decision: Refused
Date of Recommendation: 28.09.2005
C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal O : Notes attached to refusals
The Planning Committee is not persuaded that a new dwelling to be erected within this hold is justified in terms of the provisions of Planning Circular 3/88 insofar as it is not accepted that the farmholding has to be worked from a dwelling within the site and could not be managed from a dwelling outside but close to the site.
As such the dwelling would represent a new dwelling in the countryside contrary to the land use designation of the site on the 1982 Development Plan Order and the general policy of the Department against development in the countryside.
Decision Made : _________________________ Committee Meeting Date : _________________________
Copyright in submitted documents remains with their authors. Request removal
View as Markdown