Loading document...
The application site comprises of cleared plantation land contained within Conrhenny Plantation. The northern half of the application site is located within the Parish of Lonan and the southern half within the Parish of Onchan.
The proposed development comprises the creation of a lake and car park on the application site.
There are no previous planning applications that are considered material to the assessment of this current planning application.
Lonan Parish Commissioners recommend that the planning application be approved. Onchan Parish Commissioners recommend that the planning application be approved. The Department of Transport Highways Division do not oppose the planning application.
The Department of Transport Drainage Division have advised that they do not oppose the planning application. They request that the applicant be advised that permission for the works will be needed under the Land Drainage Act.
As stated earlier in this report the application site is part located within the parishes of Lonan and Onchan. Therefore in terms of land use policy the application site is part designated under the Laxey and Lonan Area Plan Order 2005 and part designated under Onchan Local Plan Order 2000. Having said that the land is designated as open space for particular purpose (plantation) under both orders.
The Laxey and Lonan Area Plan Order 2005 contains one policy that is considered potentially material to the assessment of the planning application. Policy L/OSNC/PR/6 states:
"With the exception of the felling of trees planted for commercial purposes, there will be a general presumption against the removal of trees within the study area where this is proposed in order to facilitate development."
Planning Circular 1/2000, which constitutes the written statement to be reading conjunction with the Onchan Local Plan, contains one policy that is considered potentially material to the assessment of the planning application. Policy O/NC/P/5 states:
"With the exception of the felling of trees planted for commercial purposes, there will be a general presumption against the removal of trees within the study area where this is proposed in order to facilitate development."
In terms of strategic plan policy, whilst the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007 contains policies relating to general planning considerations that are applicable to the assessment of a planning application it is considered that there are no policies within the plan that are specifically material to the assessment of this current planning application.
The planning application seeks approval for the creation of a lake and car park on the application site. The submitted planning application comprises of the completed application forms and drawings detailing the proposed development. It is understood that the development is proposed to provide a publicly recreation accessible with water feature and car parking for approximately eight vehicles. The applicant highlights recreational and ecological benefits to their proposal.
The application site comprises land that is currently unused following the commercial felling of part of the overall plantation. On that basis it is concluded that there is no potential for conflict with either policy L/OSNC/PR/6 of the Laxey and Lonan Area Plan Order 2005 or policy O/NC/P/5 of Planning Circular 1/2000. The proposed development is essentially rural in nature and does not cause undue harm to the overall amenity of the area, it could even be reasonably argued that the proposal represents an environmental improvement. Given that there are no residential properties, or other significant development, within close proximity of the application site and the proposal also does not affect private amenity. The drainage implications of the proposed lake have been queried with the Department of Transport Drainage Division and not been raised as an issue.
Overall it is concluded that the proposed development has limited impact on the area and is beneficial to improved public access to the countryside. It is recommended that the planning application be approved.
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:
Lonan Parish Commissioners; Onchan Parish Commissioners; The Department of Transport Highways Division; and The Department of Transport Drainage Division.
Recommendation
Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 02.04.2009 Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal 2 April 2009 09/00220/B Page 2 of 3
N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
C 2. This approval relates to the location plan and drawing no.s S1, S2 and S3 date stamped the 13th February 2009.
N 1. The applicant is recommended to contact the Department of Transport Drainage Division to discuss any necessary permission required under the Land Drainage Act.
I confirm that this decision accords with Government Circular No 24/07 (Delegation of Functions to Senior Planning Officer)
Decision Made : Permitted Date :
Signed : (M) Senior Planning Officer
Copyright in submitted documents remains with their authors. Request removal
View as Markdown