18 February 2008 · Planning Committee
Fo Cronk, Sulby Glen, Sulby, Isle Of Man, IM7 2az
The proposal sought to remove the agricultural worker occupancy condition imposed on the single storey detached bungalow at Fo Cronk in 1976, allowing unrestricted private residential use. The property, built for the applicant's father who ceased farming in 1990, was marketed for over six months at £390,000 by Chrystal…
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The officer assessed whether sufficient evidence showed no long-term need for the dwelling as an agricultural worker's home, per established Department practice requiring six months' marketing at 25-3…
Housing Policy 7
Requires new agricultural dwellings only in exceptional circumstances with demonstrated real need. Officer noted this as strategic policy material to retaining ties unless no ongoing need proven via marketing test.
Housing Policy 8
Mandates occupancy conditions restricting to agricultural workers or dependants on approved agricultural dwellings. Para 8.9.4 states conditions not usually removed unless long-term need on farm/locality no longer warrants reservation; applied via marketing evidence requirement.
Expressed interest; noted evidence of marketing but concern over scope and suggested ties might auto-expire after 25 years
Interest expressed
No comments noted
Multiple representations including objections from Lezayre Commissioners, Society for the Preservation of the Manx Countryside & Environment, T O Lowery, and Helen Goldie regarding the removal of the agricultural tie, citing precedent, ongoing need for agricultural dwellings, and…
Key concern: removal would set precedent and there is ongoing need for agricultural workers' dwellings per Isle of Man Strategic Plan 8.9.4
Society for the Preservation of the Manx Countryside & Environment
ObjectionThe Society continues to be concerned with these cases – see our recent Report: “FARM WORKER’S DWELLINGS – a support to farmers or an aid to the unscrupulous?”; We are not suggesting that the applicants here are unscrupulous, merely unfortunate
Andrew Jessopp
Conditional No Objectionif evidence was provided that an attempt had been made to market the property with the agricultural tie, which was unsuccessful, then I wouldn't object to the tie being removed. The evidence has been provided but I do wonder how many agricultural workers could afford £370k - £390k
T O Lowery
ObjectionI thought that I would make an offer for Fo Cronk which, to my mind, reflected the restrictions imposed and the method of construction, tendering a price of £180,000. This was refused; enforce the restrictions, thus ensuring a more realistic market
Lezayre Commissioners
ObjectionRefused – Majority 3-2; Such a condition will not usually be removed on subsequent applications unless it is shown that the long-term need for dwellings for agricultural workers, both on the particular farm and in the locality, no longer warrants reserving the dwelling for that purpose.
Helen Goldie
ObjectionThe property was built under the agricultural tie rules, and the market value should be reduced in order for those in this area to be able to afford to buy the property, not just the removal of the original tie.
