John Wright Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 Solution found to avoid removal of 25 Elm trees on Braaid Road This morning (Friday 2 July) the Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture Geoffrey Boot MHK, the Chair of the Planning Committee Martyn Perkins MHK, and the owner of Ballavarvane Farm in St Marks met to discuss alternative options to address access issues at the property which could avoid the removal of trees. Following a useful and productive meeting, it has been agreed that no work or action will take place at the existing site whilst an alternative solution is finalised. The existing planning application to remove 25 trees and create safer access to the property was granted following road safety concerns contained in the application. These include a serious accident that took place in September 2019 as well as a series of near misses due to visibility issues. An alternative access has now been identified that would avoid any impact on the Elm tunnel on the Braaid Road in St Marks. A planning application will be developed and submitted in the next three months. If this alternative application is successful, the landowner will relinquish the existing planning approval, legally abandoning the intended changes to improve access and safety. The public are requested to remain respectful towards the landowner who has followed the planning process and who, following public concern, is working with Government to implement an alternative solution to the current vehicular access issues. Minister Boot said: “We had a very positive discussion with the landowner and have agreed to work together on this alternative approach, which will avoid any damage to the Elm tunnel, whilst still ensuring that the landowner has a safer access to the site at a different location.” Mr Perkins commented: “We are aware of how unsettling the reaction has been for the applicant and are grateful for their cooperation in looking for alternative solutions. Working together, we believe we have identified a way to improve access and safety whilst protecting valued trees and habitat.” 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Power Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 26 minutes ago, John Wright said: Solution found to avoid removal of 25 Elm trees on Braaid Road This morning (Friday 2 July) the Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture Geoffrey Boot MHK, the Chair of the Planning Committee Martyn Perkins MHK, and the owner of Ballavarvane Farm in St Marks met to discuss alternative options to address access issues at the property which could avoid the removal of trees. Following a useful and productive meeting, it has been agreed that no work or action will take place at the existing site whilst an alternative solution is finalised. The existing planning application to remove 25 trees and create safer access to the property was granted following road safety concerns contained in the application. These include a serious accident that took place in September 2019 as well as a series of near misses due to visibility issues. An alternative access has now been identified that would avoid any impact on the Elm tunnel on the Braaid Road in St Marks. A planning application will be developed and submitted in the next three months. If this alternative application is successful, the landowner will relinquish the existing planning approval, legally abandoning the intended changes to improve access and safety. The public are requested to remain respectful towards the landowner who has followed the planning process and who, following public concern, is working with Government to implement an alternative solution to the current vehicular access issues. Minister Boot said: “We had a very positive discussion with the landowner and have agreed to work together on this alternative approach, which will avoid any damage to the Elm tunnel, whilst still ensuring that the landowner has a safer access to the site at a different location.” Mr Perkins commented: “We are aware of how unsettling the reaction has been for the applicant and are grateful for their cooperation in looking for alternative solutions. Working together, we believe we have identified a way to improve access and safety whilst protecting valued trees and habitat.” It just goes to show what the mob can achieve, armed with half baked facts and rumours! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the stinking enigma Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 I suppose we will just have to see what develops there in the next couple of years 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gladys Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 Well done to the landowner, he could have dug his heels in but didn't. I hope he is warmly congratulated and thanked by all the protesters. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Wright Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 Not wishing to pour cold water, but anything including “if” or “best endeavours” along with Planning/DOI. You get my drift. 33 minutes ago, Max Power said: It just goes to show what the mob can achieve, armed with half baked facts and rumours! 31 minutes ago, the stinking enigma said: I suppose we will just have to see what develops there in the next couple of years 10 minutes ago, Gladys said: Well done to the landowner, he could have dug his heels in but didn't. I hope he is warmly congratulated and thanked by all the protesters. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoymouse Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 58 minutes ago, Gladys said: Well done to the landowner, he could have dug his heels in but didn't. I hope he is warmly congratulated and thanked by all the protesters. There is absolutely nothing to say the landowner might not use this to his full advantage, he can use the existing planning and removal of said elms as leverage. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris C Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 You can only imagine the bowing and scraping that went on at that meeting and the concessions that were made to get here. What are the chances of the revised planning permission being refused do you think? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trackman Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 I wonder if the applicant will have to pay the fees for the new application. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cissolt Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 (edited) "We are aware of how unsettling the reaction has been for the applicant" Perhaps he should have anticipated that when it was suggested to him that 55 trees need to be felled Edited July 2, 2021 by cissolt Typo 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadAsHell Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 56 minutes ago, cissolt said: "We are aware of how unsettling the reaction has been for the applicant" Perhaps he should have anticipated that when it was suggested to him that 55 trees need to be felled They asked and permission was given. Perkins should explain how the trees and road are now suddenly safe. 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Non-Believer Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 On 6/27/2021 at 2:56 PM, Non-Believer said: I'd imagine one or two MHKs will be watching this with extreme interest with an election looming and if the result that the Manx Gas protests obtained with a far lower public involvement are anything to go by, I'd suggest there may be a review of this decision shortly. I must be psychic..... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2112 Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 Just having a real laugh at Tynpotwald bigging up their green credentials. There was a motion, that a new tree grant be established, giving grants for landowners to plant trees - with certain conditions. After the St Marks Elms fiasco you would think that Government and Tynpotwald would really think hard before coming up with these schemes - which is ideal in principle - which in reality will have loopholes which I’m sure will be exploited by clever people. Needless to say the nodding dogs voted for the motion. How long before tree scams occur, and eventually planning applications, even though the new grant rules say the trees must be in place for 30 years. Trees are for life, not 30 years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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