24 August 2021 · Planning Committee
The Workshop Claddagh Farm, Sulby Bridge, Sulby, Isle Of Man, IM7 2ez
The site at The Workshop, Claddagh Farm, Sulby Bridge, houses an established watchmaking business run by Mr Roger Smith, operating from converted former farm buildings in a rural countryside location.
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The officer recognised a general presumption against development on unzoned countryside land but accepted the principle due to prior approvals establishing the watchmakers workshop use and the unique …
Strategic Policy 1
Requires optimising use of previously developed land and redundant buildings. Assessed as met by redeveloping redundant farm barns no longer viable for conversion due to narrow widths/low heights, reducing visual clutter from parking.
Strategic Policy 2 - Priority for new development to identified towns and villages
Limits countryside development to exceptional circumstances. Exceptional case accepted due to established business use, economic benefits, and no landscape harm.
General Policy 3
Permits development on unzoned land including previously developed land where redundant and redevelopment improves landscape. Existing barns redundant post-farm cessation; replacement tidies site and supports business.
Environment Policy 1
Protects countryside unless overriding national need. No adverse effect accepted due to site's remoteness (150m+ from road), limited public views, and appropriate scale/form.
Environment Policy 2
Protects High Landscape Value areas unless no harm or essential location. Similar scale to existing, high-quality materials (reclaimed stone, timber, metal roof), not prominent in views.
Environment Policy 13
Prohibits unacceptable flood risk. Low risk for ancillary uses via raised floors, barriers, infrequent occupancy; minimal footprint change.
Business Policy 1
Encourages employment growth if compliant. Supports expansion of niche, high-value horology business with worldwide reputation.
Transport Policy 4
Requires highways to accommodate generated traffic safely. No objections; garaging improves parking.
Transport Policy 7
Requires parking per standards. Ample garaging provided.
Time limit
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice. Reason: To comply with Article 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.
Garaging use restriction
The garaging hereby approved may only be used for the parking of vehicles in association with the business Roger W Smith Ltd and Mr Roger Smith (Claddagh Farm), the applicant, and in accordance with the details set out in the supporting Planning Statement (as having been received 24.05.2021) submitted by the applicant/agent. Reason: While the development hereby approved is considered acceptable in this location given the special circumstances of the applicant, this may not be the case in respect of any other future users of the site.
Client accommodation use restriction
The client accommodation hereby approved may only be used for purposes association for the business Roger W Smith Ltd, the applicant, and in accordance with the details set out in the supporting Planning Statement (as having been received 24.05.2021) submitted by the applicant/agent. No permission is granted for the accommodation to be used for tourist or permanent accommodation. Should the business Roger W Smith Ltd cease to trade the accommodation must cease from being used as living accommodation. Reason: While the development hereby approved is considered acceptable in this location given the special circumstances of the applicant, this may not be the case in respect of any other future users of the site.
No significant negative impact upon highway safety, network efficiency and/or parking. Proposed double garages are of ample size.
Strongly supports the growth of this highly specialised, high-value watchmaking business with international reputation and client base needing privacy in rural location.
Pleased to support as area MHK; appropriate design and significant enhancement to world-class business.
Lezayre Parish Commissioners initially raised queries on change of use but later confirmed no further comments; DOI Flood Risk Management opposed residential elements in high flood risk area; DOI Highways, IOM Enterprise, and MHK supported with no objections.
Key concern: Residential accommodation proposed within high risk fluvial flood zone
Lezayre Parish Commissioners
Conditional No ObjectionApproved 4-1 majority.; The members are not against this application, but wish to understand the overall use of the whole site.; I confirm that my Commissioners have no further comments to make of this application.
Lezayre Parish Commissioners
No ObjectionI confirm that my Commissioners have no further comments to make of this application.
Department of Infrastructure (DOI) Flood Risk Management Division
ObjectionResidential development is classed as more vulnerable land use with regards to flood risk management. As such, this element of the proposed would not be supported by the flood management division.; Development use remaining as workshop only would be more appropriate.
Conditions requested: Confirm exactly by how much there is to be an increase in footprint; If change to footprint is substantial, carry out further assessments
Department for Enterprise
SupportThe Department is pleased to support the application for the provision of staff/client garaging and client accommodation at Mr Smith's watchmaking facility in Sulby and to see the business more generally continue to grow.; Mr Smith is an internationally renowned horologer and manufacturer of bespoke wristwatches and in so doing, a major success story for the Isle of Man.
Department of Infrastructure (DOI) Highways Division
No ObjectionAfter reviewing this Application, Highway Services find it to have no significant negative impact upon highway safety, network efficiency and /or parking.; The proposed double garages are of ample size to count as parking and accommodate storage.
Conditions requested: Electric vehicle charging points should be considered
