27 March 2015 · Planning Committee
Field 531402, Whitebridge Road, Onchan, Isle Of Man, IM4 6ad
The application sought permission for a temporary campsite in part of Field 531402 at Ballakaighen Farm, a rural leisure site known as Laserblast, with up to 110 tent pitches, use of existing parking, a temporary shower/toilet block near the Fun Barn, and fencing.
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The proposal was considered acceptable due to its strictly temporary nature limited to four specific event fortnights over two years, with no permanent built development or hard standing proposed.
General Policy 3
Permits development outside zoned areas for overriding national need with no acceptable alternative. Officer applied exception (g) for tourism events, balancing against countryside protection as temporary use supported visitor economy strategy without permanent impact.
Environment Policy 1
Protects countryside from adverse development unless overriding national need. Temporary camping deemed not significantly harmful visually due to topography, no hard standing, and event-specific operation, with tourism benefits outweighing protection needs.
Environment Policy 22
Prevents unacceptable harm from noise, vibration, odour etc to amenities. Potential disturbance to Sunnyside accepted as temporary, substituted for normal traffic, and mitigated by conditions; EPU noted TT traffic context.
Business Policy 11
Requires tourism development to respect countryside policies. Existing rural buildings/leisure use supported temporary camping as compatible with sustainable tourism objectives.
Time limit
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Maximum tents and pitch area
There shall be a maximum of 110 tents pitched within the site. There shall be no pitching of tents outside the area outlined red on the site plan received on 10th February 2015.
Parking restriction
The parking area, as shown on the site plan received on 10th February 2015, shall not be used other than for the parking of vehicles in connection with Ballakaighen Farm (including leisure facilities and marquee) and camping use hereby approved.
Temporary signage approval
The use may not be taken up until approval has been granted for temporary signage to be erected on the western approach to the entrance. The approved sign must be erected one day prior to the campsite being opened and taken down one day after its closure.
North-western boundary fencing
Prior to the operation of the temporary campsite hereby approved either a form of temporary fencing, or post and wire fencing, shall be erected along the north-western boundary of the site. Details of the fencing must be submitted to and be approved by Planning and Building Control and shall be retained throughout the period when the field is in use for camping. Temporary fencing must be removed when camping has ceased.
recommend that the planning application be approved
do not oppose the application subject to a condition for a temporary sign
fully supports the planning application due to demand for visitor accommodation during TT and Festival of Motorcycling
good location; likely increased noise but inconsequential given TT traffic; consider community benefit vs nuisance to limited residences
Onchan District Commissioners recommend approval of the temporary camping area application for planning purposes only.
Onchan District Commissioners
SupportThe Commissioners recommend that the application be APPROVED for planning purposes only.
