2 February 2016 · Planning Committee
Ballafletcher Sports Centre, Braddan Road, Strang, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM4 4rs
The proposal involves using the two football pitches, clubhouse, changing rooms, showers, toilets, and 110-space car park at Ballafletcher Sports Ground in Strang, Douglas, as a temporary campsite during the TT festival, accommodating pre-erected or own tents for around 200-400 people (limited to 100 tents/300 people m…
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The officer judged the temporary campsite on its merits due to no specific policies for camping, considering visual impact, facilities, highway safety, and Nobles Hospital operations.
General Policy 2
Requires development to respect site/surroundings in siting/layout/scale, not adversely affect landscape/townscape character, amenity, highway safety/traffic, and provide safe access/parking. Officer assessed temporary camping as compliant given no permanent structures, limited visual impact on sports ground setting, adequate parking/manoeuvring, and conditions addressing highway concerns.
General Policy 3
Prohibits development outside zoned areas except specific exceptions; site is 'Land owned by Government - Open Space in Agricultural Use'. Officer noted general principles apply, treating temporary TT camping akin to 'overriding national need' (TT festival) with no reasonable alternative sites given demand.
Business Policy 11
Tourism development must align with sustainable objectives and countryside protections. Officer referenced tourism demand for TT camping to support economy growth without breaching rural protections due to temporary nature.
Transport Policy 4
Highways must accommodate development traffic safely. Officer accepted parking provision and access with Highways conditions, noting site's size (3605m2 car park) suits motorbikes and short-term use.
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 the 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
There shall be no pitching of tents outside the area outlined red on Drg No 1080-SL01 date stamped as received 23rd November 2015. Reason: In the interests of public and private amenity.
Car parking unobstructed
Car parking and manoeuvring areas shall be provided and remain free from obstruction. Reason: In the interest of highway safety.
Max 100 pitches
The maximum number of pitches to be available for use shall be restricted to 100. Any application for an increase in number of units shall be accompanied by a car parking study undertaken within the previous 3 years. Reason: In the interest of highway safety.
Access via hospital road only
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
acceptable subject to conditions limiting to 100 pitches initially, car parking study for increases, no access via Ballafletcher Road
no objection due to assurances on camper control; will not renew licence if nuisance to hospital
Braddan Parish Commissioners had no objections to the application. Highway Services deferred their response pending further information on tent sizes to assess parking adequacy.
Key concern: Further information required on tent sizes to assess adequate on-site parking provision and prevent hospital overflow parking
Braddan Parish Commissioners
No ObjectionIt was unanimously resolved that the Commissioners had no objections to the following Planning Applications:-; **PA15/01284/C** - Ballafletcher Sports Ground Limited - Temporary use of sports ground and facilities as a camp site for TT Practice and Race Week - Ballafletcher Sports Ground, Braddan.
Highway Services Division
No CommentDefer - awaiting information; Further information is required on the size of then tents, 4, 6 or 8 berth. This will then allow highways to comment in full regarding the parking.; Highways appreciate that two bikes may fit into a single car parking space, and that most bikes will have rider and pillion.; Highways need to ensure that there is adequate parking on site and that parking at the hospital is not used as an overflow.
