Officer Report Recommendation

Case Officer: Mr Steve Stanley Photo Taken: Site Visit: Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation

Officer's Report

Introduction

1. This application seeks permission to install safety fencing at an existing football ground located partly within Douglas and partly within Onchan.

The Site

1. The application site is the curtilage of Douglas High School Old Boys AFC (DHSOBAFC) football ground which is located to the south west of Blackberry Lane, Onchan. The site is separated from Blackberry Lane by a grass verge through which a public footpath runs. The site is bounded by a post and wire fence at its north eastern boundary. The south western end of the site is bounded by a belt of mature trees.

The Proposal

1. This application seeks approval for the erection of a section of fencing to be located behind the goal posts adjacent to Blackberry Lane. The fence would be 40 metres long and would have a height of 6 metres. The fence panels would be constructed from green galvanised mesh mounted on timber poles. The fencing is proposed in order to prevent footballs leaving the site and hitting cars or pedestrians.

Development Plan Policies

1. The application site is located partly within Douglas and partly within Onchan.

1. The Douglas Local Plan 1998 designates the site as being an Area of Open Space or Woodland, specifically Playing Field. The Onchan Local Plan 2000 designates the site as being Open Space for Particular Purpose.

Planning History

1. The following previous planning application is considered relevant to the determination of this proposal:

93/00529/B - Construction of new clubhouse/changing facility. Permitted. 95/00552/C - Additional use of clubhouse to provide child-minding facilities. Permitted. 97/01255/B - Levelling of land adjacent to football pitch. Refused. 98/00741/B - Levelling of land adjacent to football pitch to create additional football and parking facilities. Permitted. 98/01968/B - Erection of toilet/shower block adjoining existing clubhouse. Permitted.

Application No.:	11/01541/B
Applicant:	Douglas High School Old Boys AFC
Proposal:	Erection of fencing
Site Address:	Football Field D H S O B A F C Blackberry Lane Onchan Isle Of Man IM3 1NR

00/01618/B - Creation of pedestrian footpath through. Permitted.

Representations

1. The Highways Division of the Department of Infrastructure does not oppose this application.

1. Onchan District Commissioners recommend that this application be permitted.

Assessment

1. The key issues to be assessed in the determination of this application are the need for the development and the impact of the proposal upon the amenity of the surrounding area and highway safety.

1. The site accommodates an existing football pitch which is in regular use. It is clear that the proximity of the pitch to Blackberry Lane gives rise to a highway safety issue whereby balls leave the pitch and land on the road or footpath. The proposed fencing would largely prevent this from occurring and would therefore improve the safety of users of the public highway.

1. Whilst the fencing would not be a particularly attractive feature of the area, it is a commonly used design and given that the site is used as a playing field it is something that would fit in with this use. It is judged that the need for the fencing and the benefits to public safety that it would deliver outweigh any harm that would be caused to the amenity of the area.

Recommendation

1. Permit.

Party Status

1. It is considered that the following parties, who submitted comments, accord with the requirements of Planning Circular 1/06 and are therefore, afforded Interested Party Status:

• Douglas Corporation
• Onchan District Commissioners

1. Accordingly the following parties are not granted Interested Party Status:

The Highways Division and the Planning Authority are both part of the Department of Infrastructure. As such, the Highways Division cannot be afforded Interested Party Status.

Recommendation

Recommended Decision: Permitted

Date of Recommendation: 08.12.2011

Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal

C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal

• : Notes attached to refusals

C 1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.

C 2. This permission relates to the erection of fencing, Football Field, DHSOB AFC, Blackberry Lane, Onchan as shown by Location Plan and D/773/1 received 3rd November 2011.

I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to Director of Planning and Building Control / Development Control Manager.

Decision Made : Permitted Date : 9 December 2011

Signed: Michael Gallagher Director of Planning and Building Control

OR

Signed: Jannifer Chance Development Control Manager