**Document:** APL Supporting Statement
**Application:** 23/00157/B — Temporary Change of Use for siting of a static caravan
**Decision:** Permitted
**Decision Date:** 2023-11-07
**Parish:** German
**Document Type:** report / planning_statement
**Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/9976-st-johns-ballaoates-farm-change-of-use/documents/965969

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# APL Supporting Statement

Supporting statement

1. The site

1.1 The site is part way up the Ballavargher road between the Hope and Archallagen plantation and was formally part of a much bigger holding. Currently the site is located on 6.5 acres of agricultural land and surrounded by the existing farm yard.

1.2 The current owners bought the site and surrounding land in December 2020 with the intention of continuing the use of the land for agriculture. This is supported by recent planning history including 22/00007/B for the erection of a poly tunnel and 20/01485/B for the alterations to the existing access to allow larger modern farm machinery.

2. The proposal

2.1 The proposal seeks the placement of a static caravan for temporary residential occupation for the duration of the works to build out planning application 22/01308/B for the Demolition of existing farmhouse and outbuildings and erection of replacement dwelling should it be approved. It is hoped that this will be a period of 18 months subject to the approval of the planning application.

2.2 The static caravan measures approximately 10m by 3.6m and an approximate height of 3.7m (the exact model of caravan is not yet known but please see supporting documents for examples of caravans).

2.3 The proposed site location will see the caravan sit alongside two existing buildings within the cluster of existing farm buildings.

2.4 The proposed site is screened from public view by a sod bank and row of mature trees which bound the site to the west, the existing buildings to the east and may only be visible fleetingly from the Ballavargher road to traffic and pedestrians.

2.5 The proposed site sits back from the road approximately 55m and would be accessed through the existing access from the farm yard.

2.6 The proposed siting of the caravan and its use would be solely for the purpose of allowing the applicants to live on site for the duration of the build. The applicants being on site would allow them to manage the build along with the ongoing agricultural activity.

2.7 The applicants are happy to accept any condition imposing the removal of the caravan once the main dwelling house is of a state which can be occupied.

3. Other considerations

3.1 Similar applications which have benefitted from planning approval recently are 18/00538/B and 20/00055/B. Both of which include the siting of a static caravan for occupation during a build or renovation.

3.2 The applicants have sold their property in order to fund and develop this site and are currently in a rented property in Port Erin for which the lease ends in March 2023.

3.3 The applicants have livestock and animals on site along with the market garden giving need for a presence on site which will in turn give better security.

3.4 The occupation of the caravan is not considered to have any further impact on the comings and goings from the site which is already daily due to the agricultural activity on the site.

3.5 The occupation of the caravan will not be visible or considered to have any impact on the character over and above the use of the farm overall.

3.6 The authorised use of the site is considered to be that of a mixed use as a farm yard and dwellinghouse, the proposal 22/01308/B seeks to erect a new dwelling house to continue the mixed use, this proposal allows the applicant to be on site for the duration of the build.

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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/9976-st-johns-ballaoates-farm-change-of-use/documents/965969*