Access Improvements Planning Statement
Proposed Improvements To Farm And Farm Buildings Access Ballagawne Farm, Peel Road, Kirk Michael
The existing access to Ballagawne Farm has been the subject of discussions in the past with representatives of the Department of Transport and Planning Officers when applications for works on the farm were made.
The Department of Transport’s view is that egress from the existing access road is highly dangerous.
This view was re-iterated at a meeting held on site on 16th November 2006 at which discussion took place on a proposal to carry out work of improvement and extension to Ballagawne Farm cottage. In attendance at the meeting were Mr Chris Balmer, Planning Officer; Mr Derek Sewell, Department of Transport and Highways; Charlie Park, of Ellis Brown and the client Mr Stephen Bond. It was apparent that the Department of Transport would repeat their view on the access in response to a planning application to be made for the works to the cottage.
The view on lack of safety of the existing access is shared by our client and ourselves. Whilst entry through the existing access from the main Kirk Michael to Peel Road, the A4, is relatively safe, egress is not. Exiting this farm by this route is highly dangerous as it lies on a low area on the road at a location with very limited visibility. This cannot be addressed or improved because of both the topography and the existence of a site of a burial ground, a site of archaeological interest, at the north east corner of the junction of the farm road and main road.
In addition to the farm access road there is a field gate, again located in a dangerous position when used, directly off the main road.
This application is designed to address the grave concerns over and issues of road safety relating to vehicular traffic associated with and visiting Ballagawne Farm.
Construction of the new section of farm track/road provides a link from the existing farm track to a position within the holding at which safe egress can be made for vehicles, including large slow moving farm machinery, on to the public highway. The new access/egress point is at a location determined by representatives of the Highways Authority, the Department of Transport and deemed both suitable and an answer to their road safety concerns.
The new road is constructed as a farm track and is contained between new or existing manx hedges, is built to minimise long views and blend into the field pattern. Improved field access is also provided by the proposal.
