21 September 2021 · Council of Ministers
Elfin Glen And Claghbane Woods, Mountain Road, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM8 2bl
The application sought permission for the erection of wooden assault course equipment within Claughbane Plantation on the Mountain Road in Ramsey, submitted by the Manx Wildlife Trust. This was treated as a significant development requiring review by a Planning Inspector, whose report was considered by the Council of M…
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The application was reviewed by a Planning Inspector appointed by the Council of Ministers, who submitted a report for consideration.
Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019, Article 26
This article requires that development must commence within four years of the permission date to avoid accumulation of unimplemented approvals. The condition was imposed to ensure compliance. No other policies are explicitly referenced in the decision notice.
Time limit
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this 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.
Garff Commissioners fully support the erection of wooden assault course equipment at Claughbane Plantation. DOI Highways Division has no highways interest.
Garff Commissioners
SupportThe consensus of the Board was full support for these proposals.
Department of Infrastructure (DOI) Highways Division
No ObjectionNo Highways Interest; NHI
The original planning application 21/00628/B for wooden assault course equipment in Ramsey Hairpin Woodland Park was required to be decided by an independent inspector due to DEFA ownership. No refusal occurred as it was handled under special procedure directly by the Council of Ministers. The appellant (MWT) argued the project engages children with nature, uses on-site timber, retains tree cover, complies with safety standards, and enhances recreational use without environmental harm. The inspector found no adverse impact on the woodland's appearance or character, with the rustic timber elements fitting the setting and screening by trees; it complied with EP1, EP3-4, and GP3 of the IMSP. Support came from Garff Commissioners, and no highway objections. The appeal was allowed with a standard commencement condition.
Precedent Value
This appeal demonstrates that low-impact, nature-integrated recreational structures in woodlands can gain approval by proving compliance with countryside protection policies (EP1/3-4) and forestry enhancement (GP3). Future applicants should emphasise on-site materials, safety standards, and public benefits in forest settings.
Inspector: Brian J Sims
