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Application No.: 14/01377/8 Case Officer : Miss Laura Davy ### Applicant: Manx National Heritage Proposal: Demolition of existing steel frame barn, removal of hard standing, reinstatement of area with grass and grass reinforcement mesh Site Address: Church Farm Cregneash Isle of Man Recommendation:** To APPROVE the application #### Planning
THE APPLICATION IS BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMITTEE FOR DETERMINATION DUE TO THE OBJECTIONS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS.
1.1 The application site is the curtilage of Church Farm, Cregneash. There is an existing two storey stone barn which has a large steel frame barn attached to the side elevation. The steel frame barn is in poor condition. Church Farm is to the western side of the highway which runs between Church Farm and St Peters Church. The site is accessed from this highway.
2.1 The application seeks approval for the demolition of the steel frame building including the existing concrete slab and foundations. Once the building has been removed, the ground is to be reinstated with top soil and grass with grass reinforcement mesh.
3.1 The previous planning applications are not considered to be specifically material in the assessment of the current application.
4.1 The application site is within an area zoned of open countryside but is also within the proposed conservation area. Given the nature of the application it is appropriate to consider General Policy 2 and Environment Policy 35 of The Isle of Man Strategic Plan (20th June 2007).
5.1 Highway Services, in an email received 9th January 2015, comment on the application. They do not oppose.
5.2 Rushen Parish Commissioners, in a letter received 19th December 2014, comment on the application. They accept that the agricultural building needs to be demolished but have concerns that there are no plans to replace it. They would have thought that an agricultural building of some sort would remain a necessity in order to continue farming operations in the village. MNH use the site for some events held in the village, at times of inclement weather a shelter for the public would be a necessity. They also have concerns that the site would be used as a car park given that the proposed surfacing is top soil grass and reinforced mesh. The photograph which has been submitted also shows cars parked on a similar surface. They also have concerns that the surface would preclude the use of this land for purposes associated with farming activities. They feel that photographs of Cregneash over the last 100 years need to be considered together with a clear policy for the 'Folk Museum' before going any further with this project.
6.1 The key considerations in the assessment of the application are the impacts upon the character and appearance of the property and proposed conservation area in general.
6.2 The steel frame building is a modern addition to the stone outbuilding; it is also in a very poor condition, part brick construction and part asbestos and is unsafe for public to be inside. At present the steel frame building is off limits to the general public and is not safe for staff to use during high winds.
6.3 The building is not particularly attractive and does not make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the site or the Proposed Conservation Area. It is considered that the reinstatement of the site with topsoil and reinforced mesh would significantly enhance the character and appearance of the site and the Proposed Conservation Area in general.
6.4 Rushen Parish Commissioners are concerned that there are no plans to replace the building, however, if there is not a requirement for an agricultural building, the policies relating to agricultural buildings would not support such a proposal unless there was sufficient agricultural justification.
6.5 Rushen Parish Commissioners also have concerns that the site would be used for car parking. If the applicant was to use the site for this use they would be required to submit an application for the change of use of the site. It is recommended that a condition be attached to the approval to confirm that the site is not for car parking.
6.6 The applicant's agent has provided information regarding the use of the site. They note that the existing barn was used for educational and informative demonstrations. The applicant was concerned that such use could lead to wearing of the grass and create muddy patches, the grass reinforcement mesh is intended to provide greater durability for the grass surface. They are not proposing to change the use of the site.
6.7 For the above reasons the application is considered to be acceptable and is recommended for approval.
7.1 By virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No 2) Order 2013, the following persons are automatically interested persons:
C 1. The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
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