2 February 2016 · Planning Committee
Ballafletcher Sports Centre, Braddan Road, Strang, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM4 4rs
The proposal involves using one rugby pitch and existing clubhouse facilities at Ballafletcher Sports Ground for temporary camping during the TT festival, accommodating 120-150 people in 40 pre-erected tents, with setup before practice week and takedown within three days after race week.
Click a button above to find applications similar to this one.
See how this application compares to similar ones — policies, conditions, and outcomes side by side.
No specific policies exist for camping uses, so assessed on merits considering visual impact, facilities, highway safety, and impact on Nobles Hospital.
General Policy 2
Requires development to respect site/surroundings in siting/layout/scale, not adversely affect landscape/townscape character, amenity of residents/locality, provide safe access/parking, not impact road safety, and ensure community safety. Officer found proposal complies as temporary use on existing sports ground respects character, provides adequate parking/access per conditions, and has no unacceptable highway or amenity impacts.
General Policy 3
Restricts development outside zoned areas except specific exceptions; site is unzoned open space in agricultural use. Officer noted general principles apply, particularly character and highway safety from GP2, treating TT camping as exceptional temporary use akin to overriding national need.
Business Policy 11
Tourism development must accord with sustainable objectives and countryside protections. Officer referenced in context of supporting TT camping demand to facilitate tourist economy growth.
Transport Policy 4
Highways must accommodate development traffic safely. Officer confirmed adequate parking and access, with Highways Services support subject to conditions.
Time limit
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice. Reason: To comply with article 14 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No2) Order 2013 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.
TT period restriction
The camp site may be available for use no earlier than the day before the first practice associated with the TT and Manx Grand Prix/Festival of Motorcycling races and up to the day after the last race, and camp site may be erected within three days before this and taken down within three days after this. Reason: The application is for the use of the site for the TT period only and whilst provision should be made for setting up and dismantling the camp site, the site should not be used for camping outside those times reasonably associated with these race periods.
Tent location restriction
There shall be no pitching of tents outside the yellow hashed area on the proposed camping area plan date stamped as received 1st December 2015. Reason: In the interests of public and private amenity.
Parking and manoeuvring
Car parking and manoeuvring areas shall be provided and remain free from obstruction. Reason: In the interest of highway safety.
Maximum pitches
The maximum number of pitches to be available for use shall be restricted to 40. Reason: In the interest of public and private amenity and highway safety.
Access restriction
There shall be no vehicular access to the site other than via the hospital access road. Reason: In the interest of highway safety.
no objection
do not oppose subject to conditions on car parking/manoeuvring and access via hospital road only
no objection due to assurances on camper control; will not issue further licences if nuisance to hospital
Braddan Parish Commissioners have no objections to the application. Department of Infrastructure (DOI) Highways Division do not oppose subject to two conditions related to parking and access.
Braddan Parish Commissioners
No ObjectionIt was unanimously resolved that the Commissioners had no objections to the following Planning Applications:-; **PA15/01302/C** - IOM Vagabonds RUFC - Temporary use of sports ground and facilities as a camp site for TT Practice and Race Weeks - Ballafletcher Sports Ground, Braddan.
Department of Infrastructure (DOI) Highways Division
Conditional No ObjectionDo not oppose with condition/comment; DNOC on 15/01/16
Conditions requested: Car parking and manoeuvring areas shall be provided and remain free from obstruction. Reason: In the interest of highway safety.; There shall be no vehicular access to the site other than via the hospital access road. Reason: In the interest of highway safety.
