26 November 2013 · Planning Committee
Lanjaghan Farm, Lanjaghan Road, Abbeylands, Isle Of Man, IM4 5eq
The proposal involved converting existing old brick and stone farm buildings into 12 tourist accommodation units (6 one-bed, 6 two-bed, some wheelchair accessible) with gym, spa, laundry, office, and 21 parking spaces, plus demolishing some modern farm buildings and erecting new ones including two large sheep barns (up…
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The Planning Committee overturned the officer's recommendation for approval, determining that despite agricultural justification for new farm buildings (DEFA confirmed need for modern sheep steading o…
General Policy 2
Requires development to respect site/surroundings in siting/layout/scale/design (b), not adversely affect landscape character (c), not harm local residents' amenity/locality character (g). Committee found farm harms amenity/character of Slieau Ree area; gates fail rural character test.
General Policy 3
Restricts countryside development except essential agriculture (f), ag dwellings (a). Officer accepted via ENV15/HP7 but Committee refused on amenity grounds.
Environment Policy 15
New ag buildings/dwellings where need outweighs countryside policy, sited near groups, sympathetic scale/form, no unacceptable impact near residences. DEFA justified need; officer found siting minimises landscape impact but Committee ruled unacceptable nuisance to Slieau Ree despite distances.
Environment Policy 16
Permits rural building conversion to tourist if redundant/intact/interesting fabric, no extensions/adverse change, no traffic issues. Officer confirmed all tests met (redundancy via DEFA, structural survey, historic charm, no major extensions); Committee approved this element.
Strategic Policy 8
Tourist development using existing fabric, no adverse environmental/ag/highway impacts. Officer found compliant for conversion; access mitigable.
Housing Policy 7
New ag dwellings only in exceptional need. Officer accepted via DEFA but noted tension with existing farmhouse.
Environment Policy 2
Protects High Landscape Value/Scenic Significance (O/RES/P/22); no harm unless essential. Officer found farm siting reduces visibility behind trees.
Agriculturally justified; new steading addresses outdated buildings for sheep enterprise (267 acres, 1500 ewes); on-site labour aids welfare
Road exceeded capacity but acceptable if improvements (verge widening/passing bays) completed prior to works
Original application for conversion of redundant farm buildings to tourist accommodation and new sheep farm complex with farm worker's dwelling was refused by Planning Committee due to nuisance to Slieau Ree and inappropriate entrance gates. Appellant argued agricultural justification, noise mitigation, and highway improvements. Inspector found proposals compliant with policies, marginal noise/odour impact mitigable, highway safe post-improvements, and allowed appeal. Minister approved on 9 September 2014 subject to 19 conditions including occupancy restrictions, drainage, landscaping, and noise mitigation.
Precedent Value
Demonstrates DEFA expert advice can overturn amenity refusals for justified agricultural schemes; conditions effectively address design/landscape/highway issues; existing farmhouse does not preclude new tied dwelling if functionally justified.
Inspector: Ruth V MacKenzie BA(Hons) MRTPP
