Knocksharry Barn Conversion Submission

Mr. M.I. McCauley, M.R.T.P.I., Director of Planning & Building Control, Department of Local Government and the Environment, Murray House, Mount Havelock, Douglas;

RE: conversion of 3 stone barns at Knocksharry

Dear Mr. McCauley,

It is now some 15 months since our meeting in your offices together with Mark Savage, when you agreed in principle to support my application for the above project. I was unfortunately off-Island when the application was submitted in October of last year. It was only in February of this year, when we received the approval of the above scheme, that I found out that the application only addressed the conversion of the major part of the scheme namely the single story linking of 2 two storey barns for conversion into a prestigious abode. I do not know for what reasons the 3rd building, the fairly modest stone barn, was not included as part and parcel of the application. I would have thought this would have been the proper procedure. I was merely told after the event that I would have to make a later application for this part of the project.

I submitted such an application last week, together with a planting scheme for the whole of the curtilage, an improvement of the tractor shed and plans for the 2 court yards. The essential parts of that application, but not the whole of the documentation, is enclosed herewith.

My apologies for again having to trouble you in this matter but my instincts and my advisers tell me that a project of this nature and stature requires staff accommodation to appeal to potentially interested parties. A conditional but successful planning application for the small stone barn to be converted into staff accommodation is therefore of great importance to me as it could seriously impair the prospects of a successful conclusion to the project should I fail to get planning approval. I am therefore pleading your support for my application for the conversion of the small stone barn into staff accommodation.

More generally the project is proceeding at a reasonable pace notwithstanding the usual hurdles and hiccups all building projects seem to encounter. The removal of the old sheds has been completed and the area re-landscaped to return to something at least resembling its original appearance. One block-work shed, which is currently serving as a site office, will be removed in or about the month of May 2008, where after the transformation should be more or less complete. Much time, money and energy has gone into the demolition of the old sheds and the completion of the landscaping. To my great joy some 4 or 5 individuals have actually noticed the difference and commented very positively on the improvement to the scenery.

Submission

The Applicant company Deventer Ltd has the same ownership as Knocksharry farm namely Messrs. R.G. & R.S.G. DellBorg in whose names the original application was made; REF. 06 / 01722 / B. The relevant Planning Approval is dated 9th February 2007. On receipt of planning approval the property was transferred to Deventer Ltd. (A Property Development Co.) on the grounds that the project is not a farming operation but a building project. The barn conversion project has since been entered on the Land Register in the name of “The Grange” and the relevant survey plan prepared by Messrs. Dalrymple of Ramsey accompanies this application. Unlike its predecessors it is a properly prepared and accurate survey and a definitive document. Four copies of this document accompany this application.

A new application incorporating certain amendments to the original plans was submitted by Deventer Ltd. Ref; 07/00516/B and approved on 19th June 2007. The application now before you is supplementary to that approval and submitted in accordance with condition 6 of the aforesaid 2 approvals.

The farming partnership of Messrs. R&R DellBorg as owners and residents of Knocksharry Farm House, which is immediately adjacent to the Grange, are anxious to avoid any fractionisation of the Grange. To this end it is our intention to insert a clause in any contract for sale stipulating that “The Grange together with all buildings and structures within its curtilage MUST BE IN THE OWNERSHIP AND OCCUPATION OF A SINGLE HOUSEHOLD AT ALL MATERIAL TIMES and NO PART THEREOF MUST BE DIVIDED AND/OR SUBDIVIDED OR LET AND/OR SUBLET AND ALL BUILDINGS ONLY USED FOR THEIR DESIGNATED PURPOSE. We are seeking the Departments support by making the approval of this application conditional on the foregoing terms.

Application

This application concerns inter alia 2 buildings within the Grange curtilage both designated agricultural buildings namely a small Manx stone shed and a modern tractor shed. We are applying for both buildings to be re-designated domestic buildings.

1) Stone Shed. We propose to refurbish and extend the stone shed to serve as a cottage for the designated and limited use as; granny and / or guest and / or staff accommodation. The proposed changes and the extension are shown in the accompanying plans A 1-3. 2) Tractor Shed. We propose to replace the corrugated cement panelled roof with slate and make a few minor adjustments to the building’s external appearance as shown in the accompanying plans marked B 1-3 and designate the use to one, two or all of the following alternatives. Garaging, Stabling, garden shed, store room, play/leisure activities, or indoor swimming pool. Any further modifications to the exterior of the building will be subject to planning approval. 3) The central yard (drawing C1 – 2). This yard is sheltered by existing surrounding buildings and high walls. We propose to make this an outdoor cloistered living area by introducing an open-sided roofed shelter and covered walk-way constructed in timber with posts and a slate-roof; remove the render from the high wall shown at C_C in drawing C2 and dress the external face in Manx stone work all as shown in drawings C1 and C2. 4) We propose to introduce added perimeter fencing and not proceed with the construction of an approved block-work wall. Construct two 2m. high gate piers in Manx stone work and link them to existing stone and sod walls with short walls; all as shown in drawing D. 5) We propose to carry out a planting program as indicated on a separate size A1 plan.

PROPOSED EXTENSION AND ALTERATIONS TO SMALL STONE SHED

WEST ELEVATIONS OF STONE AND TRAC TO SHEDS

RECEIVED ON 2-2 OCT 2007 DISTRIBUTION CENTER AND THE DIVISION