28 March 2024 · Planning Committee
Ballachurry Beg, Sandygate, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM7 3bs
The proposal is for retrospective permission to retain an agricultural building (13.9m x 6.2m x 4.3m high, dark green profile sheeting and blockwork) and a timber stable (9.1m x 3.7m x 3.5m high) on land adjoining a dwelling in rural Jurby, used for livestock (ponies, sheep, poultry) and equipment storage as part of a …
Click a button above to find applications similar to this one.
See how this application compares to similar ones — policies, conditions, and outcomes side by side.
The proposal was approved as it demonstrated sufficient agricultural and equestrian need to justify exceptions under General Policy 3(f) and Environment Policy 15, outweighing the presumption against …
General Policy 3
Presumes against countryside development but allows exceptions for buildings essential for agriculture (para f). Officer found agricultural need justified the building for livestock/equipment storage on active holding, outweighing general restriction.
Environment Policy 1
Protects countryside from development. Buildings accepted due to functional design, siting in existing group, screening by mature vegetation, and camouflage colouring minimising visual intrusion.
Environment Policy 15
Requires proof of agricultural/horticultural need for new countryside buildings. Detailed needs statement evidenced self-sufficient holding operations, supporting approval.
Environment Policy 19
Addresses equestrian impacts on amenity, soils, highways. No amenity harm (111m to nearest house), Class 3 soils, no highway issues confirmed.
Environment Policy 21
Permits animal stabling with design/siting tests. Timber stable design appropriate, screened, limited to equestrian use via condition.
Environment Policy 14
Protects high quality soils (Classes 1-2). Site is Class 3, so no loss of superior farmland.
Environment Policy 4
Mitigation required for habitat loss. Tree planting and boxes exceeded needs, accepted by DEFA.
Transport Policy 4
Requires no highway harm. DOI confirmed no issues with access/safety.
Agricultural use only
The agricultural building must be used only for agricultural purposes. Reason: the countryside is protected from development and an exception is being made on the basis of agricultural need. As such the building must be used for the purposes for which it is approved.
Equestrian use only for stable
For the avoidance of doubt, the stable building hereby permitted shall only be used for equestrian purposes. Reason: The countryside is protected from development and an exception is being made on the basis of equestrian need only.
Removal if uses cease
The agricultural building and stable hereby approved shall be removed and the ground restored to its former condition in the event that it is no longer used or required for agricultural purposes. Reason: The building has been exceptionally approved solely to meet agricultural and equestrian needs, and their subsequent retention would result in an unwarranted intrusion in the countryside.
no significant negative impact upon highway safety, network functionality and/or parking
content with the details contained in the attached Ballachurry Beg Tree Planting Scheme... amount of tree planting undertaken on site and the erection of bat and birds boxes more than mitigates for the previous loss of trees on site and no further ecological mitigation is required
over the years given licences for trees in the close proximity of the development... this proposal requires no further tree removal the Department does not object to this application
DEFA Ecosystem Policy Team initially raised concerns about biodiversity loss from tree removal but later confirmed satisfaction with the submitted tree planting scheme and bat/bird boxes, recommending no further mitigation. Highways and DEFA Forestry raised no objections.
Key concern: net loss for biodiversity from tree and vegetation removal
DEFA Ecosystem Policy Team
No ObjectionThe Ecosystem Policy Team can confirm that we are content with the details contained in the attached Ballachurry Beg Tree Planting Scheme.; The amount of tree planting undertaken on site and the erection of bat and birds boxes more than mitigates for the previous loss of trees on site and no further ecological mitigation is required.
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
DEFA Ecosystem Policy Team
Conditional No ObjectionThis application has therefore resulted in a net loss for biodiversity, which is contrary to policies within the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016 and the Biodiversity Strategy 2015.; In order to mitigate against this loss, native broadleaved tree planting, as well as the erection of bat and bird boxes, is required elsewhere on site.
Conditions requested: native tree planting plan is provided to Planning prior to determination of this application; bat and bird box plan containing details of where a bat box suitable for crevice dwelling species, an open front bird nesting box and an entry hole bird nesting box, are to be erected on site; Bat boxes are best located on sunny southerly elevations, and bird boxes on sheltered northerly elevations, either on buildings or on trees, but away from artificial lighting
DEFA Forestry Amenity and Lands Directorate
No ObjectionThe Department over the years has given licences for trees in the close proximity of the development, although the reasons for removal were due to the trees condition, not to facilitate Development.; As this proposal requires no further tree removal the Department does not object to this application.
