2 October 2024 · Planning Committee (signed by J Chance, Director of Planning and Building Control)
Ballamaddrell Farm, Grenaby Road, Ballabeg, Castletown, Isle Of Man, IM9 4hd
The proposal involves installing 20 ground-mounted solar PV panels in two parallel rows (total width 23.8m, depth 1.5m per row, 2m gap, max height 1.4m) on agricultural field 425236 adjacent to the southern end of the residential curtilage at Ballamaddrell Farm.
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The Department supports renewable energy but balances it against countryside protection under Environment Policy 1, which prohibits development adversely affecting the countryside unless overridden.
Environment Policy 1
Protects countryside from adverse development unless overriding need and no alternative. Officer found no adverse impact due to screening, low visibility from public views, and minimal countryside harm; best siting on applicant's land for solar gain while preserving field use.
Environment Policy 14
Prohibits loss of important agricultural land (Classes 1-2) unless overriding need. Site is Class 2/3; no loss as panels raised allowing sheep grazing/continued ag use, no fencing, inconsequential area affected.
Strategic Policy 1
Requires efficient resource/use of sites/infrastructure. Proposal utilises existing field edge, south-facing for efficiency, near dwelling for connection, no infrastructure strain.
General Policy 3
Restricts countryside development except essential ag/forestry or environmental improvements. Accepted as renewable energy with no landscape harm, screened location.
Environment Policy 22
Prohibits unacceptable harm from pollution/emissions/noise/light. No such impacts identified; low-scale solar with no noise/light pollution noted.
Environment Policy 4
Judges alternative energy against environmental policies; no EIA needed for small-scale solar (not listed in Appendix 5). Weighed benefits against minimal impacts.
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.
No residential curtilage extension
Notwithstanding the details submitted, no approval has been granted for the extension of the residential curtilage. The residential curtilage remains as defined by the red line boundary under PA 19/00102/B. Reason: To ensure proper control of the development and to reflect the information provided in the application, as the application does not propose to extend the residential curtilage and has not been considered as such.
Removal if unused
The 20 ground-mounted photo-voltaic panels hereby approved shall be removed and the ground restored to its former condition in the event that it is no longer used for a period greater than 18 months or no longer require for the production of electricity. Reason: In the interests of the visual amenities of the countryside setting and to avoid unnecessary built development in the countryside.
no highway interest
raise no objection
Highway Services HDC has no interest in the application, indicating no highway concerns. Arbory and Rushen Parish Commissioners had mixed views but agreed not to submit an objection.
Highway Services HDC
No ObjectionHighway Services HDC has no interest (NHI) in: 24/00964/B
Arbory and Rushen Parish Commissioners
No ObjectionThere were mixed views expressed by the Board on this application (24/90964/B) but agreement was reached not to submit an objection to the application.
