10 November 2025 · Delegated - Principal Planner (A Morgan, Interim Director of Planning and Building Control)
Ballaglonney, Ballacutchel Road, Mount Murray, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM4 2hu
The proposal involves constructing a steel-framed agricultural barn for livestock housing and storage at Ballaglonney Farm, a 60-acre holding recently reverted from equestrian to sheep and cattle farming (100 sheep, 30 cattle).
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The proposal was approved because it represents an essential agricultural building satisfying the exception criteria under General Policy 3(f) for development essential to agriculture, as defined in t…
General Policy 3
Presumption against development in countryside except for essential agriculture/forestry under (f). Officer assessed the livestock operation (100 sheep, 30 cattle on 60 acres) and confirmed need for winter housing as proportionate and essential, meeting the TCPA definition of agriculture.
Environment Policy 15
Requires agricultural buildings to be essential, appropriately scaled, clustered with existing structures. Proposal sited 2m from existing shed on hardstanding, dimensions typical for farm scale, materials agricultural-standard, satisfying clustering and minimising impacts.
Strategic Policy 5 - Design and visual impact
Design and visual impact in rural areas. Partial sunken design, green metal finishes, and enclosure by hedgerows/trees ensure the building reads as part of the compact farm group without harming countryside character.
Environment Policy 1
Protection of countryside and ecology. No significant impacts from siting on disturbed ground; conditions protect hedgerows and control lighting to avoid biodiversity loss.
Environment Policy 4
Protection of ecology and species. Initial hedgerow concerns addressed by amended plans and condition; no protected species or designations affected.
Environment Policy 14
Avoid loss of high-quality agricultural soils. Site on Class 3 land and existing hardstanding results in no protected soil loss.
Time limit
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Agricultural use only
The building shall be used solely for purposes associated with agriculture or horticulture and for no other purpose, including any equestrian, commercial, or residential use.
Removal if use ceases
In the event that the building hereby approved is no longer required for agricultural or horticultural purposes, or if such use ceases for a continuous period exceeding 18 months, the structure and any associated hardstanding shall be removed, and the land restored to its original condition suitable for farming. A restoration plan detailing the steps to achieve this shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Department within one month of cessation. The approved restoration plan shall be implemented in full within three months of its approval.
Materials approval
The external materials of the building shall be as specified on Drawing No. 04 Rev A and shall be retained in accordance with those specifications thereafter following completion.
Lighting scheme
Prior to the installation of any external lighting associated with the agricultural building hereby approved, a detailed lighting scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. The scheme shall be designed in accordance with the recommendations of the Bat Conservation Trust and Institution of Lighting Professionals (ILP) Guidance Note 8: Bats and Artificial Lighting (12 September 2018), to minimise disruption to nocturnal wildlife and avoid unnecessary light spill into the surrounding countryside. The submitted scheme shall include: o Scaled drawings and specifications of all proposed lighting columns and fittings; o Details of luminance levels, hours of operation, and control mechanisms; and o Mitigation measures to reduce light pollution and ecological disturbance. The development shall thereafter be carried out and operated in full accordance with the approved scheme.
Hedgerow protection
No hedgerows adjacent to the application site shall be removed, damaged, or otherwise disturbed during the construction of the development. Prior to commencement of development, a hedgerow protection plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. The plan shall include details of protective fencing to be erected in accordance with BS 5837:2012 or an equivalent standard, and shall identify the location, specification, and timing of installation. The approved fencing shall be installed prior to any site works and shall remain in place for the duration of construction. It shall only be removed following completion of all external works.
no significant negative impact upon highway safety, network functionality and/or parking as the existing access and proposed site layout is acceptable
DEFA Ecosystem Policy Team has no objection to the agricultural building proposal following review of updated photographs, recommending a condition to retain all hedges during development.
DEFA Ecosystem Policy Team
Conditional No ObjectionWe don’t think further action is necessary, if the applicant says that the hedges are to be entirely retained could you just apply a condition for no hedges to be removed during development?
Conditions requested: condition for no hedges to be removed during development
