14 May 2007 · Director of Planning and Building Control (M.I. McCauley) under delegated authority
Field 432558, Douglas Road, Ballasalla, Isle Of Man, IM9 3ad
The proposal involved approval in principle for a new dwelling described as a retiring farmer's bungalow on a remote field corner of Glashen Farm, opposite two modern bungalows on the Castletown Road (A5), accessed via a new 200m contrived drive parallel to the road linking to the farm entrance.
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The officer found no evidence of agricultural need sufficient to justify an additional rural dwelling, as the applicant's statement indicated they were 'considering retirement' with a 'new owner/tenan…
New Agricultural Dwellings
Requires evidence of real agricultural need (para 1) to offset countryside objections, including for retirement homes only if tied to farm running; siting must be within/adjoining main farm buildings, set back from highway, via existing access (para 3). Officer found no need proven as farm to be tenanted/sold without applicant involvement; site remote with contrived 200m drive, severable, ignoring para requirements and pre-advice.
Do not oppose subject to parking/turning facilities and access widening conditions
Comments received (no planning objection stated)
Interest noted; single connection required (no objection)
Multiple consultees responded to application 07/00498/A for an agricultural workers dwelling at Glashen Farm, Ballasalla, with Malew Parish Commissioners and SPMC&E objecting due to countryside intrusion and poor justification, while others raised no objection subject to conditions on utilities, fire safety, highways, and water connections.
Key concern: unwarranted intrusion into the countryside
Isle of Man Water Authority
Conditional No ObjectionThe Authority wish to express their interest in the following planning applications, and request that a condition of planning be that the applicant must contact the Authority to ensure that a connection is obtained for water supply purposes
Conditions requested: condition of planning be that the applicant must contact the Authority to ensure that a connection is obtained for water supply purposes, or an amendment to the existing supply under the terms of the Water Supply Byelaws; For single connections to a water main (i.e. a single dwelling) the applicant should contact IoMWA Customer Services, tel. 69 59 49
Society for the Preservation of the Manx Countryside & Environment
ObjectionThe Society STRONGLY OBJECTS to this site.; The Society continues to HAVE CONCERNS (though not in principle)
Malew Parish Commissioners
ObjectionThe Commissioners wish to notify you that they object to this Planning Application
Isle of Man Fire And Rescue Service
Conditional No ObjectionApplicant to consult with the Fire Safety Department with regard to the general fire precautions and provision of fire hydrants and the access for fire appliances.
Conditions requested: Applicant to consult with the Fire Safety Department with regard to the general fire precautions and provision of fire hydrants and the access for fire appliances
Department of Transport, Highways Division
Conditional No ObjectionDo not oppose subject to the imposition of the following conditions
Conditions requested: Parking and turning facilities shall be provided within the curtilage of the dwelling and shall comply with Manx Roads 1.; The proposed access road shall be widened to facilitate the two way flow of traffic travelling to and from the proposed dwelling.
The original application 07/00498/A for approval in principle for an agricultural workers dwelling (farmer’s retirement bungalow) on part of Field 432558 Glashen Farm was refused by the Planning Committee. The appellant argued family farming history, personal health needs for retirement housing, and suitable site selection to minimise visual impact, supported by a DAFF letter justifying additional farm workers. The Department and Malew Parish objected citing non-compliance with Circular 3/88 on agricultural dwellings, lack of functional need, and location in an Area of High Landscape or Coastal Value. The inspector found conflict between appellant's retirement intent and DAFF's management assistance rationale, prioritising the appellant's stated retirement purpose, and ruled the site did not meet Circular 3/88 siting criteria near farm buildings. The appeal was recommended to fail, upholding the refusal.
Precedent Value
Appeals for agricultural retirement dwellings must clearly demonstrate functional farm need over personal retirement wishes, with strict adherence to Circular 3/88 siting criteria; conflicts in supporting evidence (e.g. DAFF vs appellant) resolved against appellant's stated intent.
Inspector: John S Turner
