27 October 2006 · Planning Committee
Mount Murray Golf & Country Club, Ballacutchel Road, Mount Murray, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM4 2ht
The development proposed replacing underused tennis courts at the northern end of the existing hotel car park with 75 additional car spaces surfaced in tarmacadam or gravel to match the existing parking area.
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The officer assessed the loss of tennis courts against the precedent of PA 04/2391, where an appeal inspector approved conversion of a sports hall to a golf clubhouse, concluding that after 10 years, …
Planning Circular 1/91
Requires provision of designated disabled parking spaces in car parks. Officer recommended condition for at least three spaces of 3.6m width near facilities to ensure accessibility for disabled users of hotel facilities.
Time limit
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Approved drawings
This permission relates to the erection of a covered walkway and the creation of car parking spaces on the tennis courts all as shown in drawings reference W2815-P01 and -02 received on 29th June, 2006 and -03 and -05 both received on 23rd August, 2006.
Car park materials
The car parking spaces must be finished in gravel or tarmacadam to match the existing car park before the car parking spaces is brought into use.
Surface water drainage
There must be no discharge of surface water to the main foul sewer.
Disabled parking
At least three of the proposed car parking spaces must be laid out and reserved for use by disabled person. Such spaces should be a minimum of 3.6m in width and located as close as is possible to the facilities which the spaces are to serve.
wish to withdraw their objection to the above application
No objection in principle subject to no discharge of surface water to foul drainage
no specific comments stated
Multiple objections from statutory consultees including Manx Electricity Authority, Department of Tourism and Leisure, Drainage Division (conditional no objection), and sports bodies regarding loss of tennis courts and infrastructure conflicts, alongside public representations objecting to the proposal.
Key concern: proposed covered walkway over existing 11kV cable and MEA substation access
Manx Electricity Authority
ObjectionThe Manx Electricity Authority objects to the above planning application on grounds that the proposed covered walkway is over an existing 11kV cable and is the access road for MEA vehicles to the area substation.; We would request that this objection stands until the applicant has contacted the MEA to discuss possible diversion of the cable, at no cost to the MEA
Conditions requested: applicant must contact the MEA to discuss possible diversion of the cable, at no cost to the MEA, or assurance that this proposed walkway will not interfere with the route of the cable or access to the substation; All work to be carried out in accordance with Health & Safety Guidance Notes HS (G)47
Drainage Division, Department of Transport
Conditional No ObjectionNO OBJECTION In principle subject to:; The application states that the surface water from the proposed development is to be discharged to the “existing drainage”
Conditions requested: There must be NO discharge of surface water (including that from roofs and paved areas) from this proposed development to any foul drainage system(s) so as to comply with the requirements of the Department of Transport Drainage Division and the Sewerage Act 1999; these comments could be incorporated in the approval notice
Department of Tourism and Leisure
Objectionthe Department is opposed to the further loss of sporting and leisure facilities on the Mount Murray site; we are aware that some works have already been undertaken
Isle of Man Lawn Tennis Association
ObjectionThese 3 courts are the only courts on the Isle of Man which comprise a suite of 3 courts which are available for 365 days a year. As such, they form a vital part of the infrastructure of the sport on the Island.; It would be a tragedy for tennis on the Island if such a facility was to be removed
DTL Leisure Division (Carol Glover)
ObjectionThe need in the East of the Island, being the largest concentration of the population, is a specific priority.; The Mount Murray Club is a popular club with both Adult and Junior Sections
The Planning Committee refused permission for conversion of the sports hall at Mount Murray Country Club, citing that the building's size was justified only by sports facilities benefiting the local community and Island, and the proposed golf clubhouse would lead to an undesirable loss of those facilities without justification. The appellant argued the sports hall was commercially unviable, underused, and primarily for hotel users, with no obligation for public provision. The Council, Department of Tourism & Leisure, and Santon Commissioners opposed, emphasising loss of valuable indoor sports provision needed per the Sport and Recreation Strategy. The inspector found no linkage or condition securing public sports use from the original permission, accepted evidence of no prospect of sports hall reopening, and balanced needs, concluding benefit in avoiding a separate countryside clubhouse. The appeal was recommended allowed with a condition restricting use to golf clubhouse.
Precedent Value
This appeal sets precedent that loss of private sports facilities can be allowed where commercially unviable with no prospect of continuation or public acquisition, even if needed per strategies, absent conditions securing public use. Future applicants should provide robust viability evidence and highlight reuse benefits over retention rhetoric.
Inspector: Andrew D Kirby RD* MA MSc FRTPI FRSA
