Heron Brearley Support Statement

19th July 2005

Secretary of The Planning Committee Department of Local Government and The Environment Murray House Mount Havelock Douglas I.O.M.

Re: Heron and Brearley.

Dear Ms Callow,

051359

Please find attached our written statement in support of our planning application.

If you require any further information relating to the application then please do not hesitate to contact either myself or our agent EMC Design.

Yours sincerely

Steve Pickett Director

Proposed extension to warehousing for Heron and Brearley combined with new lorry and car parks at Kewaigue, Douglas.

Written statement in support of planning application

Background to the proposal

Heron and Brearley are applying for this planning permission in order to provide an appropriate, modern operational facility for its long standing and developing local businesses.

The application is for:

1. New lorry park to rear of site.
2. New extension to front of warehousing for the:

a) release of existing space for fleet servicing and maintenance. b) relocation of Island Automatics and other storage and picking activities. c) provision of additional storage racking to enhance operational procedures for customers and employees at particularly busy times such as Christmas and the TT festival.

In providing separate access for these operations health and safety standards for all users will be improved.

1. New car park to the front of the new extension, providing additional visitor and customer facilities. The three spaces available at present are not adequate.

1. Lorry Park.

This lorry park will be located at the rear of the warehouse and will be sheltered by existing planting as shown below. The proposal provides for essential and urgent parking facilities for both vehicles in transit, which depending on loading schedules may need to be parked for periods of time including overnight stays, and for other fleet vehicles undergoing service checks. The designated area will ease congestion to the entrance of the site, improve work flow and safety surrounding the loading and delivery areas and improve the security of the site and the equipment within it out of office hours.

Shrubs to rear lane which the lorry park will back onto toward White Hoe Ind. Est.

1. New extension to front end gable of warehouse.

Island Automatics currently occupy that part of the building which will be converted into an improved larger loading bay and new fleet service area. It is proposed the operation is now moved into the new warehouse. This relocation will allow better organisation, layout and safety within the warehouse, improve Island Automatics working environment and security by providing surveillance storage for cigarettes and other items of high value.

Existing gable end view when passing the entrance of the site.

Visually the present gable end of the building is not very pleasing for those entering or driving past the site. The proposed new extension will blend better with the existing environment. The facia of the new extension will use materials that will merge better with the local landscape and will be shielded by the planting of trees and shrubs in the adjoining grounds.

1. New car park to front

At present there is limited visitor and customer parking near the main administration building and warehouse offices. This proposed new car park will provide appropriate spaces to enable the various activities to carry out their business efficiently. This car park will be restricted to cars and light commercial vehicles only. Landscaping will also be provided as previously detailed.

SUMMARY.

Heron and Brearley are committed to providing a well kept, organised, efficient and orderly site for the benefit of its employees, customers and neighbours.

This proposed investment represents a major financial undertaking and demonstrates the commitment of the Group to not only improving operations but also to the future of the Isle of Man.

To remain competitive and generate resources to re-invest in the local economy Heron and Brearley Group will continue to adopt best working practices and conditions and at the same time recognise the responsibilities that come with being a major local employer and investor in directly owned or contributing businesses. In pursuit of this strategic aim, heron and Brearley consider the Isle of Man Government to be a key partner and very much hope that the planning authority and committee will look favourably upon this mutually beneficial proposal.