17 March 2011 · Minister for Infrastructure
Allandale Farm, Ballamanagh Road, Sulby, Isle Of Man, IM7 2hb
The proposal sought retrospective permission to retain a flat-roofed portakabin at Allandale Farm for secure storage of animal medicines and chemicals, a farm office, and bio-security washing/changing facilities including shower and toilet.
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The Planning Committee refused, reversing the officer's recommendation, as they were 'concerned of the agricultural justification given the existing barn and recently approved barn, and questioned why…
General Policy 3
Prohibits development outside zoned areas except essential agricultural buildings (exception f). Officer and inspector found proposal essential for biosecurity/chemical storage, outweighing general restriction despite Committee doubts on alternatives in barns. DEFA advice on regulatory needs tipped balance.
Environment Policy 15
Requires proven agricultural need, close siting to buildings, appropriate scale/design sympathetic to landscape. Proposed green metal cladding and lean-to roof matched existing/approved barns, sited in farm group; Committee accepted design but not need; inspector confirmed compliance post-amendments.
Environment Policy 2
Protects AHLV character unless no harm or essential location. Prior refusals cited incongruous portakabin; amendments ensured no harm by blending with farm complex in AHLV.
Agricultural use only
This approval relates to the retention of a Portacabin for secure storage, bio-security washing/changing facilities and farm office use and the building shall be used only for agricultural purposes.
Cladding and roof works
Prior to commencement of the approved use the building shall be clad with dark green metal sheeting and fitted with a lean-to roof as shown in drawings 8,9 and 10 submitted with the application.
Time limit
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
approved.
Do not oppose. Has no adverse traffic management, parking or road safety implications.
The original application 10/01696/B for retrospective erection of a portakabin for agricultural use was refused by the Planning Committee contrary to officer recommendation, citing lack of essential agricultural need and non-compliance with General Policy 3 and Environmental Policy 15. Appellants argued the portakabin was essential for secure storage of medicines, biosecurity, washing facilities, and farm office, supported by agricultural advisor evidence, and proposed cladding and roof changes to address visual concerns. The inspector accepted the agricultural justification under GP3(f), finding separate secure facilities necessary to avoid contamination risks and supported by DEFA advice, and concluded visual impacts were mitigated by proposed modifications to match farm buildings, complying with EP2 and EP15. Other concerns like flood risk and neighbour amenity were dismissed as outweighed by agricultural need. The appeal was allowed with conditions for agricultural use only, specific cladding/roof, and time limit; the Minister concurred on 5th August 2011.
Precedent Value
Demonstrates that agricultural appeals succeed with advisor-backed evidence of essential functional needs and precise design mitigations for visual policy compliance, even in AHLV; future applicants should secure DEFA support and propose farm-matching finishes.
Inspector: G Farrington
