29 November 2016 · Planning Committee
Ballakermeen High School, St. Catherines Drive, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 4be
The proposal sought permission to temporarily convert part of Ballakermeen High School's playing fields, parking areas, access, and shower/toilet facilities in Douglas into a campsite accommodating a maximum of 150 bell tents, each housing 1-4 people, for specific TT race periods from late May to mid-June in 2017, 2018…
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.
The officer noted the proposal is contrary to the site's zoning for secondary school use but recommended approval due to its location in sustainable Douglas, prior successful operation for four years …
General Policy 2
Requires development to respect site/surroundings in siting/layout/scale, not adversely affect amenity/character/road safety, provide safe access/parking, and account for safety/security. Officer assessed temporary campsite as compliant despite contrary zoning due to short duration, management, conditions, and no amenity/highway objections; visual impact noted as slightly jarring but acceptable given temporariness.
General Policy 3
Prohibits development outside zoned areas except specific exceptions; no direct fit for campsite but principles on residential amenity considered. Officer applied general principles but approved as temporary TT-related use in sustainable location with prior precedents.
Business Policy 11
Tourism development must accord with sustainable objectives and countryside protections. Officer noted no specific campsite policy but proposal supports TT tourism economically in urban area without rural impacts.
Transport Policy 4
Highways must accommodate development traffic safely. Assessed as acceptable replicating prior arrangements with school largely closed, conditions for access/parking, and no Highway Services objection.
Time limit for use
The use hereby approved shall only be undertaken on the following dates: 27th May to 15th June 2017; 26th May to 14th June 2018; 25th May to 12th June 2019, and 30th May to 17th June 2020. Reason: The application is for the use of the site for the upcoming four years of TT motorcycling events only and the assessment has been made on this temporary basis. While 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.
Maximum tents and locations
There shall be a maximum of 150 tents pitched within the site during the approved period of operation. These 150 tents shall be pitched only on the locations shown on the submitted aerial photograph entitled "Isle of Man TT" at a scale of 1:500. Reason: In the interests of public and private amenity.
Access restrictions
The vehicular access onto St. Catherine's Drive at the southwest corner of the site shall be used for vehicular exit only and shall not be used for vehicular entry. There shall be no means of vehicular access directly onto Westbourne Drive to the east. Reason: In the interests of highway safety.
Parking restrictions
The parking area, as shown on the site location plan (scale 1:1250), date-stamped as having been received on 24th October 2016, shall not be used other than for the parking of vehicles in connection with the school and camping use hereby approved. Reason: To ensure that sufficient provision is made for off-street parking and turning of vehicles in the interests of highway safety.
No objection subject to conditions applied to previous approvals; facility has operated successfully in previous years.
No objection subject to security provided by applicant, support from Departments of Education and Tourism and Leisure, necessary planning approval, and appropriate insurance.
Service offered increased to Two Star grading; outlines services sufficient for recognition in Isle of Man Campsite Scheme.
