20 November 2007 · Planning Committee
Field 334292, Lhoobs Road, Eairy, Isle Of Man, IM4 3ja
The proposal sought permission to continue storing building materials such as scaffolding, pipes, blocks, timber, tiles, bricks and guttering, plus plant like a mini-digger and trailer, in a field accessed directly from the narrow rural Lhoobs Road.
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The officer noted no evidence that materials were linked to works at Mount Pleasant Farm, with site evidence of use as a builder's yard including burning, constituting a change of use from open space …
Environment Policy 1
Policy protects countryside from inappropriate development like builder's yards. Officer and inspector found clear breach as site used for storage in open countryside, visually intrusive and harmful to rural character despite open valley setting preventing effective screening.
Interest expressed
Multiple objections to planning application 07/01744/R for continuation of storage of building materials in countryside, including from Patrick Parish Commissioners, Highways Division, and numerous local residents, with no supporting responses.
Key concern: inappropriate development in the countryside
Patrick Parish Commissioners
ObjectionThe Commissioners consider that this is a wholly unsuitable location for this purpose.; The storing of building materials in the open would represent an inappropriate development in the countryside.; The Commissioners earnestly hope that the Planning Committee will refuse the Application accordingly
Highways Division of the Department of Transport
ObjectionThe application does not provide details of the type and frequency of vehicles that will be required to access the store.
Society for the Preservation of the Manx Countryside & Environment
ObjectionThe Society STRONGLY OBJECTS and supports continuing enforcement action.; If it were really the storage of materials on-site, whilst a building contract was on-going, it would not need Planning Permission.; The fact that it does need permission suggests a commercial use unconnected with any adjoining site.
The original application (07/01744/R) for continuation to store building materials on Field 334292, Lhoobs Road, Eairy, was refused by the planning authority. The appellant argued the materials were for upcoming works at Mount Pleasant Farm, including house maintenance, barn conversion, and garage construction, with offers of screening and no additional traffic. The planning authority contended it was functioning as a builder's yard, unsightly, and harmful to traffic safety. The inspector found the use undesirable due to visual harm to rural character, unsuitable access for HGVs, lack of evidence why materials couldn't be stored elsewhere, and inability to control the use effectively even temporarily, breaching countryside protection policies. The appeal was dismissed on 21 May 2008, with directions to remove materials within one month.
Precedent Value
This appeal demonstrates inspectors will uphold refusals for temporary storage in countryside where evidence of necessity is lacking and alternatives exist; applicants must provide robust proof of linkage to specific works and robust highway assessments, as personal circumstances alone do not override policy.
Inspector: Graham F Self
