Garff Commissioners Appeal Statement

Garff Sheading<br><br>LAXEY LONAN<br><br>MAUGHOLD<br><br>Garff Sheading	Garff Commissioners<br><br>Barrantee Garff<br><br>35 New Road, Laxey, Isle of Man, IM4 7BG. Telephone: (01624) 861241 Fax: (01624) 862623 Email:[email protected] www.garff.im

10th October 2024 Mr Andrew Joyce Planning Appeals Administration Cabinet Office Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Dear Mr Joyce Please could the comments below be forwarded to the Inspector appointed to consider the appeal on the following application:

24/00683/B, Mr & Mrs Brian Byers Appeal against the refusal for erection of equestrian building. Field 624110 Ballagilley Farm Gooseneck Road, Maughold<br><br>

Note for the Appointed Inspector: Please note that the Commissioners’ original comments intended for the Planning Committeewas not submitteddue to an administrative error on my part.

The Commissioners Submission relating to the Appeal begins overleaf.

Appeal Submission from Garff District Commissioners

24/00683/B, Mr & Mrs Brian Byers Appeal against the refusal for erection of equestrian building. Field 624110 Ballagilley Farm Gooseneck Road, Maughold<br><br>

The Commissioners Object to the proposals, and it is their view that the Refusal decision should be upheld.

Consequently, I have been instructed to forward the following observations which the Board requests the Appointed Inspector consider when reviewing the application:

• 1. The Commissioners believe that the evidence presented by the Planning Officer in his report for the refusal of the application is well founded.
• 2. The application site is located on the lower eastern slopes of North Barrule which is an area of the highest visual importance; known for its unspoilt natural beauty and distinct character.
• 3. The equestrian building is exceptionally large and would form an extremely prominent intrusion into this visually sensitive location.
• 4. The Commissioners concur with the Planning Officer in his statement that the proposed development would cause “an unacceptable degree of visual harm to the character of the site and its surroundings”.
• 5. Any approval would be contrary to the intentions as outlined within the Landscape Character Assessment that was undertaken for the Area in 2008 and which accompanies the Isle of Man Strategic Plan. Using the terms of the LCA, it is clear to the Commissioners the resultant development would be highly detrimental to the “character, quality and distinctiveness of the…moorland, its…panoramic views…sense of tranquillity and remoteness, etc…” (A1 Northern Uplands Landscape Character Area).
• 6. It is the view of the Commissioners that the proposed building would dominate

• the landscape and would be highly intrusive when viewed from the surrounding area. The building would disrupt views from the summit and slopes of North Barrule, further emphasizing the harm it would cause to the broader landscape.
• 7. The Commissioners express concern that the proposed building, due to its scale, could easily be repurposed for commercial use in the future. Rejecting the proposal would help protect the area from such potential commercial change.

In conclusion, the Commissioners firmly believe that, in order to safeguard the area’s landscape and character, the decision of the Planning Committee to refuse planning permission should not be reversed.

Members express their thanks to the Inspector for taking their views into account during the appeal process.

Martin Royle Clerk Garff District Commissioners