Planning Report And Recommendations {{table:80100}} {{table:80101}} {{table:80102}} ### Considerations ### Written Representations ### Consultations
Officer's Report
The Application Site And Proposed Development
The application site comprises a parcel of land adjacent to a property known as Ballamenagh that is located in the Sandygate area of Jurby.
The proposed development comprises the creation of a manegre riding arena within the application site. The planning application is submitted retrospectively.
Planning History
Whilst the application site has been the subject of a number of previous planning applications it is considered that none of these are specifically material to the assessment of the current planning application.
Representations
The Department of Transport Highways Division do not oppose the planning application subject to it being restricted to private use.
Planning Policy
In terms of land use, the application site is not designated for any site specific purpose under the Isle of Man Planning Scheme (Development Plan) Provisional Order 1982.
In terms of strategic plan policy, the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007 contains one policy that is considered specifically material to the assessment of this current planning application. Environment Policy 19 states:
"Development of equestrian activities and buildings will only be accepted in the countryside where there will be as a result of such development no loss in local amenity, no loss of high quality agricultural land (Classes 1 and
2) and where the local highway network can satisfactorily accommodate any increase in traffic (see Environment Policy 14 for interpretation of Class 1 and 2)."
Assessment
The planning application seeks retrospective planning approval for the creation of a manage riding arena within the application site. Case law has established that the fact that planning approval is sought retrospectively should neither advantage nor disadvantage the assessment of the planning application.
The applicant has stated that the riding arena is for their own personal use as practise grounds for competitions. Assessment of the proposal is primarily against Environment Policy 19 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007. Firstly, given that the arena is screened from general public view by existing hedges and trees that surround the application site the development has a suitable limited effect on local amenity. Secondly, given that the land was not previously farmed and effectively formed part of the wider land associated to Ballamenagh it is considered that the proposal does not result in the loss of valuable agricultural land. Finally, given that the arena is for personal use and the applicant lives at Ballamenagh there should not be any noticeable increase in traffic arising from the development.
It is recommended that the planning application be approved.
Party Status
It is considered that the following parties that made representations to the planning application meet the criteria of Government Circular 1/06 and should be afforded interested party status:
The Department of Transport Highways Division. I confirm that this decision accords with Government Circular No 31/07 (Delegation of Functions to Senior Planning Officer)
