2 November 2016 · Delegated - Senior Planning Officer Sarah Corlett
Field 130688, Kella Road, Sulby, Isle Of Man, IM7 3ad
The proposal sought retrospective permission for a 4.3m x 4.3m x 3.5m high shed on Field 130688, Kella Road, Sulby, claimed for storing livestock feed and growing seedlings. The site is a 3-acre agricultural field but features domestic elements like fencing, ponds, decking, BBQs, and other structures indicating residen…
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The officer started from General Policy 3, which prohibits development outside zoned areas except for buildings essential for agriculture.
General Policy 3
Prohibits development outside zoned areas except essential agricultural buildings. Officer applied strictly, finding no sufficient agricultural need to qualify for the exception despite applicant's claims.
Environment Policy 1
Protects countryside from adverse development unless overriding national need with no alternative. Proposal failed as domestic-style building harmed visual amenities without justification.
Environment Policy 15
Requires proven agricultural need outweighing countryside policy, sited near buildings, and sympathetic in scale/design/materials. No need proven; design (uPVC windows, log burner) domestic, not agricultural, and unsuitable for location.
recommended approval
do not oppose
Lezayre Parish Commissioners approved the application unanimously but recommended the shed be used purely for agricultural purposes, not as a livery, and suggested a lower profile design. Department of Infrastructure Highways Division stated no highways interest.
Key concern: The shed is to be used purely for agricultural use. It is not to be used as a livery.
Lezayre Parish Commissioners
SupportApproved Unanimous Although the members have approved this application, they wish to make the following comments: The shed is to be used purely for agricultural use. It is not to be used as a livery. The shed appears to be quite tall and a lower profile shed would be better on this site similar to the shed behind in the photograph. Does the shed behind require planning permission too.
Conditions requested: The shed is to be used purely for agricultural use. It is not to be used as a livery.
Department of Infrastructure (DOI) Highways Division
No ObjectionNo Highways Interest; This proposal is for a shed within a field. There is no change to the access or the vehicle generation.; NHI on 26/08/16
The original application for retrospective erection of a wooden shed in a 3-acre field was refused due to lack of proven agricultural need and domestic appearance conflicting with countryside policies. Appellants argued the shed was for storing livestock feed, growing seedlings, and supporting their emerging agricultural enterprise with sheep and crops on improved land. The inspector found limited agricultural potential but accepted current activity warranted temporary permission to test viability, with minimal landscape impact due to seclusion. Policies GP3, EP1, and EP15 were considered, allowing a trial period. The Minister accepted the inspector's recommendation, granting approval on 9 February 2017 with conditions for agricultural use only and removal after 5 years.
Precedent Value
This appeal shows temporary permissions can succeed for marginal agricultural cases in countryside where current activity exists but long-term viability is unproven, allowing review after 5 years. Future applicants should provide concrete evidence of ongoing operations and storage necessity while addressing design concerns.
Inspector: Michael Hurley
