CHIEF SECRETARY'S OFFICE

Oik yn Ard-Scrudeyr

PLANNING APPEALS OFFICE

Government Office DOUGLAS Isle of Man IM1 3PN Direct Line: (01624) 685280 Fax Number: (01624) 685710 E-mail: [email protected]

CHIEF SECRETARY M Williams, CPFA

Our Reference: L16NEW/DF08/0010

9th October 2008

Secretary To The Planning Committee Department Of Local Government _ Environment _ Murray House Mount Havelock Douglas

Dear Sir/Madam,

RECEIVED ON

10 OCT 2008

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (DEVELOPMENT PROCEDURE) ORDER 2005

Application: DF08/0010 08/01055/B

Applicant: Department Of Local Government And The Environment

Proposal: Construction of landscaped mounds to south west boundary and access lane from existing taxiway, Jurby Industrial Estate Jurby Isle Of Man IM7 3BD

In accordance with paragraph 10 of the above Order, the person appointed by the Government in Council to consider the application has submitted his report.

After consideration the Council of Ministers has accepted the recommendations contained in that report and the application is approved subject to the conditions attached to the report.

In accordance with paragraphs 10.3(a) and (b), a copy of the appointed person's report is enclosed.

Yours faithfully,

A Johnstone Planning Appeals Administrator Encl.

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Crown Division

Government Office

Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 3PN

25 July 2008

The Council of Ministers

Government Office

Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 3PN

Sirs,

Planning Application: 08/01055/B Chief Secretary's Ref: DF08/0010

Applicant: Estates and Housing Directorate, Department of Local Government and the Environment.

Application: Earth mounding/landscape works and alteration of existing taxiway, Jurby Industrial Estate, Jurby.

1. I have the honour to report that I have examined the proposals, set out above, under the provisions of Article 10 of the Isle of Man Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005. I inspected the site on Monday 14 July 2008. This report contains a description of the site and proposal, a summary of the material submitted and my assessment and recommendation.

The Site

2. The proposal relates to the Jurby Industrial Estate, located on a part of the former Jurby Airfield to the south of the A14 and to the east of the A10.

The Proposal

3. The proposal seeks approval for earth mounding and landscape works around the south west and south east periphery of the Industrial Estate. The proposal also relates to alterations to the existing former taxiway to the rear of converted hangars which would be reduced in width with the construction of the landscape buffer. With the previous approval of the new road through the Industrial Estate the taxiway becomes redundant as a primary access and would serve only as an internal access for motorsport and karting activities.

4. The mounding and landscape works alongside the former taxiway would consist of an earth bank around 1.4m high with a base width of 3m, topped by hawthorn (or similar) hedging 1.5m high. The airfield side of the earth bank would be planted with gorse and similar hedgerow plants. The soil bunds along the south east of the Industrial estate would be 1.8m high with a base width of 1.7m and would be grass faced. Around an area recognised as a lizard habitat stone facing would be applied to the banks.

Planning Status and History

5. The site is designated as an airfield under Isle of Man Development Plan Order 1992. It is not within an area zoned as High Landscape or Coastal Value and Scenic Significance (AHLV).
6. The various previous applications associated with the Industrial Estate, including a new access road are listed in the accompanying documentation.

Consultation Responses

7. There are no objections from Jurby Parish Commissioners and a standard note is requested by Manx Electricity Authority.

Planning Department's Assessment

8. The proposed works will vastly improve the visual appearance of the site when viewed from a distance and when within the site. The proposal will also retain and improve the existing taxiway which provides access for leisure activities (karting and motor sports).
9. It is considered that the application should be approved subject to standard conditions and a condition in relation to landscape maintenance.

Inspector's Assessment and Conclusions

10. Whilst the site itself is not within an AHLV or covered by other conservation designations, the Industrial Estate that has been established on a part of the former Jurby Airfield is not an attractive feature in the relatively open landscape of this part of the Island. The proposed landscape buffer will serve to partially screen the buildings and the activities and clutter around them. The mounding and bunds have been carefully designed to reflect traditional Manx hedges and with the proposed planting they will provide an appropriate boundary between the Industrial Estate and the open land beyond.
11. I agree with the planning officer that the proposal would secure a significant enhancement in landscape terms when the estate is viewed from the outside. It will also improve the internal environment of the estate.
12. I consider that the application should be approved subject to the conditions sought by the planning officer, together with an additional condition in relation to the agreement of details of planting. The conditions are listed at Annex A.

Recommendation

13. I recommend that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions listed at Annex A.

I have the honour to be, Sirs, Your obedient servant

Neil A C Holt, Independent Inspector

Annex A

Conditions

1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.

2. The approval relates to the proposed earth mounding/landscaping and alterations to the existing taxiway as indicated in the submitted documents and drawings (drawing Nos. 01JY01-0702 - 01, 02, 03 and 04 received on 21 May 2008).

3. Prior to commencement of development details of species and spacing of planting shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the planning authority and thereafter the works shall be carried out in accordance with the agreed details.

4. All planting shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details in the next available planting and seeding season after the construction of the earth mounding. Any tree or shrub which within a period of 5 years from the completion of the landscape works, is removed, or becomes seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with another of similar size or species, unless the planning authority gives written consent to any variation.

Notes

There are Underground Cables/Overhead Lines in the area of the application. The Network Operations Department, Manx Electricity Authority should be contacted (Tel. 687687) to discuss working practices around Cables and Overhead Lines which may require to be diverted before any work can be carried out on site.

Before any work is carried out on site contact should be made with the MEA Planning Department (Tel. 687781) for Electrical Site Safety 5 documents. All work to be carried out with reference to Health and Safety Executive Guidance Notes HS(G)47 and GS6.

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