Ballachrink Farm Worker Dwelling Support
The Secretary Planning Committee Department of Local Government & Enviroment Murray House Mount Havelock DOUGLAS Isle of Man 26th January, 2006
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: Planning Application at the above address
Please find enclosed the relevant detailed forms, together with the necessary plans etc. to support our application for the erection of a farm worker's cottage at Ballachrink.
In addition, may I be permitted to make the following observations for discussion when the matter is placed before your Committee:-
- We farm a 232 acre dairy unit at Ballachrink in addition to some arable and beef production. At the present time, we do not employ anyone directly on the farm and have to rely on the back up of agricultural contractors to supply any additional manpower. We do urgently require the services of a regular worker based on the farm to take over from us in times of emergency.
- We were well satisfied with the last worker we employed about 3 years ago, and he also liked his employment with us, but in the end after exhaustive enquiries had been made to find suitable accommodation for him and his family in the vicinity, he was reluctantly forced to return to the U.K.
- Since that time, we have been unsuccessful in finding any suitable workers to fulfil our requirements without the prospect of a house to go with the position and this underlines the urgency of the need to build a suitable cottage.
- One cottage which could possibly have suited our need come on the market recently, but was sold for £140,000 which was in need of complete renovation. In addition, we understand that there are a couple of other properties for sale within the Parish (that are agriculturally tied), but these are priced well outside our budget.
- What is needed is a modest, single-storey cottage within walking distance of the centre of operations at the farm, as milking time commences early in the morning for the 100 plus dairy cows and other stock to be managed.
We trust that your Committee will be able to accede to our request in this matter.
Yours faithfully,
Ballachrink Farm B.D. Faragher
