5.10

Policy 5.10 - Kirk Michael Local Plan Policy 5.10

agriculture plays an important role in shaping and maintaining the landscape within the South and as such serious consideration needs to be given before losing agricultural land to development.

5.10.3 The farm buildings in the South include several good examples of attractive stone barns and cow-houses arranged in a quadrangle design around a farmyard layout. There are many other fine, free-standing stone farm buildings in the South. These are often found to be unsuitable or of only limited use for modern farming, but represent not only a valuable part of Island heritage, but also an opportunity for diversification and re-use. The Department will continue to treat proposals for re-use positively, where they comply with current policy guidance namely Environment Policy 16 and Environment Policy 17, set out in the Isle of Man Strategic Plan, 2007. Manx National Heritage is likely to seek recording of such buildings and farmsteads prior to redevelopment and particular regard should be had to the Isle of Man Strategic Plan - Environment Policy 41 - in this respect.