10 May 2022 · Planning Committee
Smeale Farm, Smeale, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM7 3eb
The proposal involves the retrospective creation of two shallow unlined wildlife ponds in a wet, boggy corner of a field at Smeale Farm, part of DEFA's Agri-Environment Scheme to enhance biodiversity.
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The officer assessed that the ponds are in a wet, low agricultural value area of the field, aligning with General Policy 3(h) as works facilitating interpretation of countryside wildlife, and Environm…
General Policy 3
Permits development outside zoned areas for buildings or works required for interpretation of the countryside, its wildlife or heritage. Officer found ponds facilitate wildlife interpretation with minimal visual change in wet unused field corner.
Environment Policy 1
Protects countryside ecology unless overriding national need. Ponds enhance rather than harm ecology in non-designated countryside.
Environment Policy 2
Protects High Landscape or Coastal Value areas unless no harm to character. Ponds not publicly visible due to sod banks, acceptable private views to managed habitat.
Environment Policy 4
Protects ecology and designated sites/protected species. No protected species, enhances habitats complementing existing pond.
Environment Policy 27
Seeks to enhance natural environment including habitat management. Directly supports wildlife pond creation under Agri-Environment Scheme.
Environment Policy 22
Prevents unacceptable harm to amenity via pollution etc. No impacts on neighbours at 64.7-70.7m with screening.
No excavated material removal or fill import
No excavated material shall be removed from the site and no fill materials may be brought onto the site. Reason: For the avoidance of doubt - the works proposed are engineering works to alter the existing landform but do not seek approval to remove material from/import material to the site and so any impacts which may result from that have not been assessed.
Planting/seeding details
Within two months of the date of this decision, details of any proposed planting/seeding shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Department and the development shall not take place other than in accordance with the approved details. Reason: the application does not provide details of any proposed planting/seeding and given the nature of the proposed scheme, it is important that any that does take place is appropriate.
Fence details
Within two months of the date of this decision, details of the proposed new fence on the western boundary of the tree planting and pond areas (shown on the Site Plan received 31 January 2022), including minimum height, materials and positions (entire perimeter) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. The fence shall be carried out in accordance with the approved scheme and thereafter retained. Reason: To ensure the implementation and management of a satisfactory scheme and in the interests of the visual amenity of the area.
No Highway Interest
Do not oppose
No concerns from a fisheries perspective
No objection
Support the application for guaranteed Net Biodiversity Gain, strengthening Nature Recovery Network, restoring lost wetland habitats in degraded arable field, well-designed per Agri-Environment Scheme, no protected species present
All consultees expressed support or no objection to planning application 22/00127/B for creation of 2 ponds at Smeale Farm, with Manx Wildlife Trust providing strong endorsement for biodiversity benefits.
Manx Wildlife Trust
SupportManx Wildlife Trust (MWT) wish to express support for the above Planning Application, which provides for guaranteed Net Biodiversity Gain; this is an excellent example of sensitive and well-designed habitat creation on a degraded habitat; It is fully in accordance with the stipulations of the Agri-Environment Scheme Handbook and Guidelines
DEFA Inland Fisheries Policy Manager
No ObjectionDEFA Fisheries have no concerns in relation to this development from a fisheries perspective; due to the nature of the nearby watercourse (ditch) which is not known to contain fish populations
Department of Infrastructure Flood Risk Management Division
No ObjectionDNO
Department of Infrastructure Highways Division
No ObjectionNo Highways Interest; NHI
Andreas Parish Commissioners
No ObjectionAndreas Parish Commissioners have no objection to this application
