Planning Report Summary

The site represents two fields situated on the western side of the Abbeylands Road just to the north west of the crossroads of the Ballanard Road and the Scollag Road. The fields have a frontage to the roadway of 95 m and slope downward from the road towards the river, which is not included in the site. I understand that the applicant's brother, Michael Shimmin who farms at Ballacreetch owns the land to the west although it is used by Mr. Haddow who lives at Abbeylands House for his children's quad and bike riding. Proposed here is the principle of the erection of a dwelling somewhere in the fields. The site is designated as Open Space/Agricultural on the Onchan Local Plan and also as of High Landscape Value and Scenic Significance. There is an area of woodland and ecological significance to the west and north west. The justification for the new house appears to be the applicant's connection with the land and her continuing involvement, albeit not full time or permanent. Her late father and mother farmed Ballacreetch which is now farmed single-handedly by her brother. Michael Shimmin applied for the principle of a farm bungalow for his mother (PA 01/1251) which was approved on appeal. Mrs. Shimmin died before the detailed application was submitted and due to delays the reserved matters application was not submitted until a few days after the approval in principle had expired (PA 03/0985). This application has yet to be considered by the Planning Committee. There would clearly appear to be no desperate need for this new dwelling in agricultural terms. The applicant also owns the cottages across the road from the site so if there is a need for a dwelling here, she could move into one or redevelop both of the cottages here. Whilst one of the cottages has a protected tenant in it, she could extend the other property to suit her purposes. It is true to say that the erection of a dwelling here would be lower than the roadway although the creation of an access onto the public road would open up the site. The site is clearly too large to be considered as an in-fill plot and could open up the door to further development between the housing at the crossroads and that at the bridge. This is clearly a case of a desire rather than a need for someone to live in a certain area and this should not be accepted as a reason for approving development in an area where it is not so designated. Planning permission was not accepted for Dr. James further towards Sir George's Bridge (PA 02/0099). ## Summary of objections/views Onchan District Commissioners refuse - not designated for development Department of Transport Highways and Traffic Division - defer for further consideration Recommendations Refuse ## Application No: 03 1889 ### Planning Report and Recommendations #### General Report Site Visited YES/NO --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---