8 September 2025 · Head of Development Management (Stephen Butler); issued by Director of Planning and Building Control (J Chance)
Residental Accommodation, Ballakillowey Farm House, Ballakillowey Road, Colby, Isle Of Man, IM9 4bn
The proposal seeks permission to retain a retrospectively erected stable building (9.3m wide x 3.6m deep, mono-pitch roof 2.6m high at front falling to 2.2m at rear) for quarantining horses returning from off-island travel, in line with DEFA and British Horse Society guidelines amid disease outbreaks.
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The site is in open countryside where GP3 and EP1 presume against development, but EP19 and EP21 allow equestrian buildings if justified by need, sensitively sited, and designed to blend without adver…
General Policy 2
Requires development to respect site/surroundings in siting/layout/scale/design, avoid harm to landscape character, residential amenity, wildlife/habitats, and provide safe access/parking. Officer assessed the stables' low scale, dark materials matching farm buildings, screened position, and drainage measures as compliant, with no adverse effects identified.
Environment Policy 1
Prohibits development adversely affecting countryside unless overriding national need outweighs protection and no alternatives exist. Special equestrian quarantine need for disease isolation outweighed countryside protection, as building is screened and functional for established farm activities.
Environment Policy 19
Supports equestrian activities on rural land if sensitively sited with high design standards to avoid countryside harm, preferring non-residential construction near building groups. Stables use appropriate timber/metal finishes, simple design suiting purpose, and location within equestrian farm justified approval.
Environment Policy 21
Governs development for animal stabling/shelter in countryside. Assessed as acceptable due to specific isolation need, appropriate style/design/finish, and position away from main buildings but within farm context.
General Policy 3
Presumes against development outside zoned areas except specific cases; equestrian exception applied due to justified need despite countryside location.
Environmental Policy 22
Requires surface water management within site. Condition imposed for gutters directing water away from adjacent dwelling boundary.
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 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.
Drainage management
The black upvc gutters and rwp shall be attached as such to direct surface water away from the boundary with the adjacent dwellinghouse to the east, 'The Cottage', and thereafter maintained as such for the lifetime of the development. Reason: For clarity and to ensure surface water is managed within the site in accordance with Environment Policy 22 (i).
Equestrian use only with removal if discontinued
The development hereby approved shall only be used in association with the family equestrian activities at Ballakillowey Farm and shall not be used for any other purposes. If the building hereby approved is not used for a period in excess of 12 months then within 18 months of its last use it shall be removed from the site and the ground restored to its former grassland condition. Reason: The quarantine stables hereby approved are only acceptable in this location because of the special circumstances. The building has been approved away from the main group of buildings specifically to meet equestrian isolation need. If the equestrian use ceased the isolated building would result in an unwarranted intrusion in the countryside and so be removed.
supported
no significant negative impact upon highway safety, network functionality and/or parking as the site access and layout is acceptable
no objection; no registered trees impacted and little impact on retained trees
