2 May 2013 · Minister for Infrastructure (via Chief Executive I T Thompson)
Field 405, West Loughan, Jurby, Isle Of Man, IM7 3es
The proposal sought retrospective permission for using a 1ha agricultural field for occasional dog agility events, obedience shows, associated camping (limited to 10 units for UK/European competitors), and storage of portable containers, a caravan, site hut/tea room, and portaloos along the northern roadside edge.
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The Inspector assessed the appeal on its merits, noting prior permission PA 11/01740/B implicitly accepted dog exercise/show use via cesspool condition, though not expressly approved.
General Policy 3
Presumption against development outside zoned areas except specific exceptions (e.g. agriculture, essential services); dog events/storage not listed but intermittent use/rural necessity deemed acceptable on appeal despite officer view of no exceptions met. Officer found structures fail tests; Inspector balanced against practical needs.
Environment Policy 1
Protects countryside from adverse development unless overriding national need/no alternative; officer deemed structures incongruous/sporadic harming landscape quality/visibility from highway. Inspector found minimal impact when screened/painted, ancillary to desirable activity.
Recreation Policy 1
Offers support for recreational uses pending North Area Plan; Inspector cited as backing intermittent dog events in rural field.
Approved plans and use
This approval relates to the use of Field 210405 for occasional dog agility events and occasional camping together with the placement of associated storage structures and buildings as shown in drawing 13/0139/01 Rev A and 13/0139/02 Rev A both date stamped 19th February 2013.
Restoration on cessation
All items on the land associated with the use hereby approved shall be removed and the land restored to its previous condition within one month of the approved use of the land ceasing.
Temporary permission
The use hereby approved shall be discontinued, all associated items removed from the land and the land restored to its previous condition on or before 2 years from the date of this notice unless the Planning Authority agrees otherwise in writing.
Seasonal limits
The use of the field for dog shows and associated camping shall not take place outside the months of May to September inclusive with no camping other than that coinciding and associated with the shows.
Hours restriction
No active dog competitions or showing shall take place outside the hours of 08.00 to 18.00.
no objections to the present application, albeit retrospective, but if approved, the application should not be used as a means, or first step to develop the area as a public camp site.
access is suitable due to limited vehicles/restricted shows; 3m wide access suffices as vehicles unlikely to enter/leave simultaneously; visibility satisfactory.
The original application for storage of buildings/containers and use of Field 210405 for camping and dog events (retrospective) was refused due to unacceptable sporadic development harming countryside character contrary to GP3 and EP1. The appellant argued the use supports dog training clubs, is low-impact with no complaints, and storage is necessary and portable. The inspector found the intermittent dog events acceptable in countryside given lack of alternatives, with storage ancillary and not significantly harming openness despite partial visibility. Concerns over undefined event scale/frequency led to recommendation for temporary approval with conditions on timing, restoration, and details. The Minister accepted the recommendation and allowed the appeal on 9 August 2013 with 5 conditions.
Precedent Value
Demonstrates countryside policies GP3/EP1 can be overridden for low-impact recreational uses with community benefit where no alternatives exist, especially with temporary permissions allowing refinement. Future applicants should provide clear event parameters, neighbour mitigations and restoration assurances.
Inspector: Alan Langton
