22 January 2024 · Planning Committee (signed by J CHANCE, Director of Planning and Building Control)
Field 530509, Track From Lanjaghan Road To Lower Ballacashin Stables, Abbeylands, Isle Of Man, IM4 5eg
The proposal involves constructing a 40m x 20m fenced arena using 1.5m high timber post and rail fencing, with no change to ground levels, located east of existing stables on a 9,050 sqm field classified as Agricultural Land Class 3.
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The officer assessed the principle of equestrian development in countryside under GP3 and EP1, finding it acceptable as a small-scale private arena supporting existing stables, not constituting large-…
General Policy 3
Restricts development outside zoned areas except for essential countryside uses; equestrian arena accepted as supporting existing private stables without overriding countryside protection needs.
Environment Policy 1
Protects countryside from adverse effects unless overriding need and no alternative; private arena's limited scale and screened siting causes no adverse countryside impact.
Environment Policy 19
Permits equestrian development in countryside if no amenity loss, no Class 1/2 land loss, and highways accommodate traffic; satisfied as Class 3 land, no amenity harm, DOI no objection.
Environment Policy 20
Presumption against large-scale equestrian arenas unless exceptional; small 40x20m private arena not large-scale.
Environment Policy 21
Prohibits horse-related structures detrimental to countryside character via siting/design/size; arena's rural fencing, adjacent siting and screening ensure no detriment.
Transport Policy 4
Requires highways to accommodate development traffic safely; existing access adequate for private use, confirmed by DOI.
Environment Policy 14
Protects Class 1-2 agricultural land; site is Class 3, so no issue.
Time limit
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Private use only
The riding arena hereby approved shall be for private use only and not for any commercial or private livery use.
Equestrian use tied to existing barn and dwelling
The arena hereby approved must be used only for equestrian purposes in association with the existing barn and residential dwelling at Lower Ballacashin, Abbeylands, and shall not be used for any commercial use or commercial purposes.
Restoration if discontinued
In the event that the riding arena, hereby approved, is not used for equestrian purposes for a period exceeding 6 months, the ground must be restored to its former condition within 9 months of the arena last being used.
No external lighting without approval
There shall be no external lighting at the site unless full lighting plan details have been first submitted to and approved in writing by the Department, such details shall include position of lights, level of illumination and cowl details. Any external lighting shall then only be installed in full accordance with the approved lighting plan.
Do not oppose; no significant negative impact upon highway safety, network functionality and/or parking
Recommended approval subject to comments by DEFA Forestry regarding trees
Highway Services found no significant negative impact and does not oppose; Onchan District Commissioners recommend approval subject to DEFA's tree comments; DEFA Forestry objects due to removal of a high-quality elm tree.
Key concern: proposed removal of very high quality (category B/A) elm tree
Highway Services HDC
No ObjectionAfter reviewing this Application, Highway Services HDC finds it to have no significant negative impact upon highway safety, network functionality and /or parking.
Onchan District Commissioners
Conditional No ObjectionThe Commissioners would recommend that the application be APPROVED for planning purposes subject to the following condition:- "Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture's comments regarding trees."
Conditions requested: Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture's comments regarding trees.
DEFA Agriculture and Lands Directorate
ObjectionOne of which, the elm, is of very high quality (category B/A) and thus the Directorate will be objecting to this application as result of its proposed removal.
