**Document:** Planning Statement Jurby Water Gardens
**Application:** 18/01283/A — Approval in principle for the erection of a detached dwelling, addressing means of access
**Decision:** Permitted
**Decision Date:** 2019-03-05
**Parish:** Jurby
**Document Type:** report / planning_statement
**Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/28685-jurby-water-gardens-dwelling-outline/documents/1328229

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# Planning Statement Jurby Water Gardens

## Planning Statement

**Mr & Mrs D. Burns**

**Jurby Water Gardens**

## 1. Area

![An aerial site location map showing the proposed development site circled in red near the coast, with nearby landmarks like a prison and airfield labeled.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207155.jpg)

The proposal is located on the site of 'Jurby Water Gardens', a now closed Garden Centre to the south of Jurby in the north west of the Island.

The site is situated alongside the A10 Jurby 'Coast Road', to the west (seaward) side of the road. The topography of the area is a relatively flat, rolling green landscape, bordered by the sandy cliffs dropping into the sea to the west and far in the distance to the east, the rising central hills.

The area is well known for its strong winds and barren landscape. Coastal erosion is a factor to be considered in the area, with some dwellings being defended with concrete or rock armour. The site is however, well away from the coastline. Jurby Church \& the old Air craft control tower are visible landmarks in the area.

Land usage in the vicinity of the site is generally agricultural, alongside the Jurby air field, industrial estate and prison to the north.

The architecture of the area is generally 'Manx Vernacular' farmsteads and agricultural buildings such as traditional stone barns or more modern portal frame timber or metal clad units.

The landscape is also dotted with utilitarian structures of concrete \& brick, built during World War II, such as pill boxes, lookout towers and many other structures in and around the air field. Many are Registered.

## 2. Site

[Table omitted in markdown export]

![An aerial site location map showing a red highlighted plot labeled 'SITE' adjacent to the A10 Coast Road and near Ballasalla Farm.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/731105.jpg)

### Site Areas

The site was a Garden Centre prior to its closing. The owners attempted to sell the business but after two years on the market, with no interest, have removed it from the market.

Many of the old garden centre structures are now falling into disrepair. These include large greenhouses, polytunnels and smaller sheds. Wind break fencing to the north of the site is also broken and unsightly.

A large area of the site is covered by hardstanding and gravel to allow machinery and vehicles to manoeuvre around the site. There is also a large area to the north in which scrap and old machinery is stored.

The site is surrounded by agricultural fields, with Ballasalla Farm & Old Jurby Stud the closest dwellings, these are both developments with numerous structures of varying sizes and styles.

## 3. Development Plan & Planning Policy

![This is a site location map showing the proposed development site marked near Jurby Head and Jurby Aerodrome with surrounding topographical features.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207157.jpg)

The site sits in an *'Area of high landscape or coastal value and scenic significance'*.

The site is not zoned for development so the proposals will fall under General Policy 3.

### General Policy 3

Development will not be permitted outside of those areas which are zoned for development...with the exception of...(c)

Previously developed land which contains a significant amount of building;
There are 800 sq m of Greenhouse, polytunnels etc.

The continued use is redundant.
The Garden centre is closed and no buyer could be found for the business. (see appendix A- Client letter)

Redevelopment would reduce the impact of the current situation on the landscape or the wider environment

The proposed dwelling would be of a much smaller footprint, rather than the current large greenhouses, polytunnels and general garden centre paraphernalia with landscaped gardens rather than hardstanding.

Redevelopment would result in improvements to the landscape or wider environment
A well designed dwelling would sit in the *'Area of high landscape or coastal value and scenic significance'* much better than the existing situation.

![A landscape photograph showing a grassy field in the foreground with a long agricultural-style building visible in the distance behind trees.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207163.jpg)

## 4. Context

The area is littered with many 'Manx Vernacular' farmhouses, which adhere to Planning Circular 3/91 to differing degrees; two examples are next to site.

### Ballasalla Farm

A relatively recently extended 'Manx Vernacular' dwelling with a poorly proportioned extension compared with the main dwelling.

To the rear of the house is a converted stone built barn which forms a separate dwelling & a metal clad portal frame shed.

### Old Jurby Stud

An original correctly proportioned 'Manx Vernacular' farm house with a cat slide rear extension. To the rear are generic designed timber frame and clad stables.

The aircraft control tower visible in the distance.

The site itself has no real sense of place. Nothing on the site is traditionally found in the Manx countryside.

### Jurby Water Gardens

Twin peaked greenhouse, lots of hard standing/gravel, play equipment, polytunnels, general cluttered site. Aircraft control tower again visible in the distance.

![A photograph showing a white, two-story detached house situated in a rural, grassy landscape with gorse bushes in the foreground.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207158.jpg)

![A photograph of a white, two-story detached house with a dark tiled roof, situated behind a white boundary wall with a black gate.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207159.jpg)

![A grainy photograph showing a paved driveway leading towards existing buildings in a rural setting.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207160.jpg)

![A photograph showing a rural field with a white detached house and two agricultural buildings in the distance.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207161.jpg)

![A photograph showing a rural property with white buildings and green fields, likely depicting the existing site conditions for the proposed development.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207162.jpg)

There are many structures in the vicinity which can provide design inspiration.

#### Coastline

RAF jurby lookout towers and Jurby Church are visible from all around the area. They both stand out of the green landscape due to their white painted render.

#### Air field

The air field is littered with many different buildings, most utilitarian (form follows function) structures. The control building has large glazed areas and a flat roof. Smaller timber clad huts have weathered to a silver/grey finish.

#### General area

Dotted around the countryside are remnants from the war. Their materiality is harsh and solid looking in the soft green landscape. Concrete/brick pill boxes have long thin slit windows.

![A grainy photograph showing a building complex with a prominent tower structure, likely an airfield control tower, situated in a grassy field under a blue sky. This image serves as a context view for the proposed deta...](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207164.jpg)

![A photograph showing a white stone church with a tower and a graveyard in the foreground, set in a rural landscape.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207165.jpg)

![A photograph of a two-story building resembling an old airfield control tower, situated in a grassy field with a wooden fence.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207166.jpg)

![A photograph showing a long, single-story wooden building, likely a temporary structure or outbuilding, situated in a grassy rural field.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207167.jpg)

![A photograph showing a small concrete tower-like structure with an external staircase situated in a grassy coastal landscape with the sea visible in the background.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207168.jpg)

![A photograph showing a weathered concrete military bunker or pillbox situated on a grassy embankment next to a road.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207169.jpg)

Pheasants by Williams Griffiths Architects Monolithic, strip glazing like a 'pill box'

Maison Wedge by BGA Architects
Barn like cladding (metal and timber)

Lochside House by HaysomWardMiller A collection of smaller buildings to form a whole

Le Petit Fort by Hudson Architects Inspired by Jersey's Martello towers

Newhouse of Auchengree by Ann Nisbet Agricultural form \& cladding (metal roof \& facade)

Edinburgh Road by A449 Architects Use of materials to sit in the site respectfully The site lends itself to a long, low (possibly single storey) dwelling due to the scale and form of the existing structures on the site. The proposed dwelling's size, form, materiality and design concept would be finalised in a reserved matters application. Here are some examples of how RIBA award winning Architects have taken inspiration from context.

Long, thin monolithic structures which imitate pill boxes and a dwelling inspired by battlements and World War II defences.
'Agritecture' inspired dwellings take elements of their design and materials from the utilitarian portal frame barns and sheds found in the countryside, often standing out like these structures do, instead of trying to look like old farm houses.

Timber and stone built dwellings allowed to weather, take cues from their surrounding context but sit in the site more subtly, often looking like they have been there for many years.

These are purely examples of using site context, many of these are much larger than we would propose here and are not representations of a final design on this site.

![A photorealistic rendering of a modern, detached single-story dwelling with flat roofs and large windows, set in a grassy rural environment.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207170.jpg)

![A digital rendering or photograph of a modern, single-story detached house with a flat roof and large windows set against a cloudy sky.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207171.jpg)

![A photograph or rendering of a proposed detached dwelling in a rural setting, featuring solar panels on an adjacent roof section and a stone boundary wall.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207172.jpg)

![A photograph showing a long, low concrete building situated on a coastal dune or beach area with people walking in the foreground.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207173.jpg)

![A photorealistic architectural rendering of a proposed modern detached dwelling with a long roofline, solar panels, and a central carport.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207174.jpg)

![A photograph showing a rural property with existing agricultural buildings and a new single-story stone structure with a driveway leading to it.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207175.jpg)

7. SITE BLOCK PLAN

![A colored site plan showing the existing site layout with a legend indicating buildings, gravel areas, pools, and fields, surrounded by a red boundary line.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207176.jpg)

## Appendices

![A photograph of a rural site showing a paved road in the foreground and a long agricultural building in the distance.](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/12/207177.jpg)

- **APPENDIX A** - Client letter
- **APPENDIX B** - Photograph legend
- **APPENDIX C** - Site photographs.

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*Data sourced from the Isle of Man public planning register under the [Isle of Man Open Government Licence](https://www.gov.im/about-this-site/open-government-licence/).*
*Canonical page: https://planningportal.im/a/28685-jurby-water-gardens-dwelling-outline/documents/1328229*