14 February 2019 · Planning Committee
Ballagarraghyn Farm, Main Road, St. Johns, Isle Of Man, IM4 3lh
The application sought permission to build a new single-storey agricultural storage building (7m x 21.3m, 3.2m eaves, 4.2m ridge) on the footprint of a former cowshed that burned down years ago, within the grounds of Ballagarraghyn Mansion House.
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The Planning Committee refused the application because there was insufficient information to demonstrate a need - agricultural or otherwise - for the building to justify setting aside the general pres…
Environment Policy 1
Protects countryside (all land outside settlements) for its own sake; development not permitted unless overriding national need outweighs protection and no reasonable alternative. Officer assessed site as designated open space of high landscape value; proposal failed as no overriding need proven.
General Policy 3
Allows essential buildings for agriculture/forestry. Officer noted no evidence of agricultural land use, so uncertain compliance; Committee refused outright due to lack of need justification despite maintenance arguments.
Environment Policy 15
Permits new agricultural buildings if proven need outweighs countryside presumption, sited near existing groups, appropriate scale/design, screened if near highways. Officer found proposal compliant on siting/scale (same footprint, screened), but need not sufficiently demonstrated given existing buildings.
German Parish Commissioners objected to the application citing no agricultural need and procedural bias concerns due to the applicant being the Minister; multiple private individuals raised similar procedural objections but these are not statutory consultees.
Key concern: no agricultural need for the proposed building
German Parish Commissioners
Objectionthere is no agricultural need for the proposed building; one building should be retained if necessary for the storage of his equipment rather than a new building being erected; as the applicant is the Minister for DOI the Commissioners hope that this application is considered by an independent Inspector in the interests of fairness and transparency; neither the Planning Committee or the Minister has the authority to decide on this application and we would suggest that it is passed to an independent planning inspector or another impartial person as stated in the legislation
Conditions requested: one existing building should be retained for storage rather than erecting new building; applicant should reconsider intentions to convert agricultural buildings; application should be passed to independent planning inspector or impartial person
