**Document:** Ardonan Nurseries Agricultural Justification **Application:** 18/00157/B — Erection of an agricultural building to house livestock and farm machinery **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2018-09-06 **Parish:** Lezayre **Document Type:** report / planning_statement **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/11301-lezayre-ardonan-nurseries-lane-regaby-dwelling/documents/1581265 --- # Ardonan Nurseries Agricultural Justification Re: 18/00157/B - Ardonan Nurseries, Ardonan Lane, Regaby, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM7 3HN Following my visit on the 1st July with Mr James Radcliffe I have the following comments: - The applicant Mr James Radcliffe is seeking to erect an agricultural building 30.48m x 18.28m for the purpose of housing livestock, livestock feed and agricultural machinery. - The farming business is based upon 60 acres of agricultural land of which approximately 1 acre is covered with glass houses and polytunnels. The glass houses and poly-tunnels are now currently unutilised due to the low profit margins involved and high operating costs on the Island. - The land is currently utilised for the grazing of horses – (DIY livery) and fodder production. The hay (fodder) production currently is limited due to the availability of dry storage. Currently this is wrapped in plastic and stored outside. Increasing expense and waste. - Mr Radcliffe wishes to expand his agricultural activities, based around fodder production and introducing a 40 head cattle enterprise. A housing and handling area is required to ensure animal health and welfare is not an issue. - The labour requirement of Mr Radcliffe’s planned agricultural activity will generate approximately 1543 standard man hours or 0.77 standard labour units. See appendix 1. - The current range of agricultural buildings include one modern steel framed agricultural building 24.38m x 9.14m. - This building is currently utilised as a machinery store and workshop with some fodder storage. - A range of stone buildings exist but these are not suitable for modern agriculture being poorly accessed and ventilated for the housing of livestock or storage. - The proposed agricultural activities would require the provision of approximately 791m². This will allow for the housing of 40 1-2 year old cattle, the storage of their fodder and bedding plus an expansion of the fodder making enterprise. See appendix 2. - As a result of the proposed agricultural activities there will be a shortfall of approximately 11m² following the erection of the proposed building. - Historically a 15.24m x 21.33m building existed but was destroyed beyond repair in the winter storms 2007. - This building was utilised for the housing of beef cattle on the farm. The lack of suitable housing saw stock numbers decrease to the point where both beef and sheep enterprises ceased altogether. - Three polytunnels (36.56m x 9.14m each) have been removed from the site to allow for the proposed new building. - The site is currently hard-cored and the applicant informed me that the site was cleared and hard core was placed on the site in preparation for the shed. The finished floor level of the proposed building will be at the previous ground levels. - The site has been prepared as the stone became available at short notice. - The location of the building has been selected to allow for good access and due to the size of the building. The proposed location is further away from the farm residence than the previous livestock building but still within the curtilage of the steading. - The proposed building has been sited at least 5m away from any trees and the applicant does not wish to see any trees removed or damaged. Based on the planned agricultural activity by Mr Radcliffe the proposed building appears to be well reasoned agriculturally justified. Yours Sincerely Chris Kneale Rural Business Consultancy Ltd. ## Worksheet for calculation of Standard Labour unit requirements [Table omitted in markdown export] Name: James Radcliffe Address: Ardonan Farm Regaby Date: 03/07/2018 [Table omitted in markdown export] Total livestock 360.0 Total crops 1,109.3 Total livestock 360.0 Total crops 1,109.3 Overhead assumption 73.5 assuming 5% overheads allowance Total standard man hours per year 1,542.8 Total labour units required 0.77 assuming 2000 standard labour units per labour unit Appendix 2. [Table omitted in markdown export] --- *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/11301-lezayre-ardonan-nurseries-lane-regaby-dwelling/documents/1581265*