**Document:** Officer Planning Report Recommendation **Application:** 07/02088/B — Erection of an agricultural building **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2008-02-14 **Parish:** Santon **Document Type:** report / officer_report **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/84321-santon-mallards-ballavale-road-agricultural-building/documents/1233265 --- # Officer Planning Report Recommendation [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Considerations [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Written Representations ### Consultations [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Officer's Report #### The Site The application site comprises the land to the east of the property "Mallards", Ballavale Road, Santon. "Mallards" has land associated with it to the east and west of Ballavale Road which is farmed by the applicant. The Isle of Man Railway line runs to the north of the site. #### Planning Status The application site is located within an area identified as being High landscape and Coastal Value and Scenic Significance by the 1982 Development Plan. Within the adopted Isle of Man Strategic Plan, the following policy is considered relevant in the assessment and determination of this application: [Table omitted in markdown export] Environmental Policy 14 which states: "Where the Department is satisfied that there is agricultural or horticultural need for a new building (including a dwelling), sufficient to outweigh the general policy against development in the countryside, and that the impact of this development including buildings, accesses, servicing etc. is acceptable, such development must be sited as close as is practically possible to existing building groups and be appropriate in terms of scale, materials, colour, siting and form to ensure that all new developments are sympathetic to the landscape and built environment of which they will form a part. Only in exceptional circumstances will buildings be permitted in exposed or isolated areas or close to public highways and in all such cases will be subject to appropriate landscaping. The nature and materials of construction must also be appropriate to the purposes for which it is intended. Where new agricultural buildings are proposed next to or close to existing residential properties, care must be taken to ensure that there is no unacceptable adverse impact through any activity, although it must be borne in mind that many farming activities require buildings which are best sited, in landscape terms, close to existing building groups in the rural landscape." ### Planning History There are no previous planning applications considered relevant in the assessment and determination of this application. ### Representations The Department of Transport Highways Division does not comment on this application. Santon Commissioners do not comment on this application. The Manx Electricity Authority attaches a note to this application. The Inland Fisheries Development Manager of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry comments on the proximity of the proposed building to the water course, indicating no objection provided that there is no development within 8 metres of the watercourse to ensure the retention of habitat, prevent disturbance to the watercourse and minimise the risk of riverbank erosion. The applicant is advised to contact the Inland Fisheries Section for further advice if necessary. We have received no privately written representations in relation to this planning application. ### The Proposal This application seeks approval for the erection of an agricultural building for the storage of agricultural machinery and fencing. The building would be located to the immediate east of the cluster of buildings which form the property "Mallards" and the nature and materials of its construction would be appropriate to its proposed use. The building would measure approximately 18.5 metres by 7.5 metres with a height of 4.5 metres. ### Assessment The proposed siting of the building, close to the field boundary would ensure that a good level of existing screening will provide adequate mitigation in terms of visual impact. The building would not be exposed or isolated being close to the residential curtilage of the property "Mallards". It is not judged that additional landscaping would be required in order to screen the building further as existing screening is adequate. The proposed materials are indicative of the agricultural use of the building. In terms of agricultural need, further information was requested from the applicant in order to ascertain exactly why the building is required. Subsequent clarification was received stating that the building is to be used for the storage of farm machinery and equipment used for maintaining the surrounding fields owned by the applicant. Overall it is considered that this proposal complies with the criteria set by Environmental Policy 14 and as such it is recommended that this application be permitted. ### Recommendation It is recommended that the application be approved. ### Party Status It is considered that the following parties, who submitted comments, accord with the requirements of Planning Circular 1/06 and are therefore, afforded Interested Party Status: - The Department of Transport Highways Division - Santon Commissioners - The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Accordingly the following parties are not granted Interested Party Status: - The Manx Electricity Authority ### Recommendation **Recommended Decision:** Permitted **Date of Recommendation:** 31.01.2008 ### Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal - : Notes attached to refusals C 1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice. C 2. This permission relates to the erection of an agricultural building shown by the plans and information, Location Plan, Plans/Elevation and Site Plan as submitted and date stamped 12th November 2007. C 3. The approved building must be used for agricultural purposes only. C 4. The roof of the approved agricultural building must be grey or dark green. C 5. There must be no development within 8 metres of the watercourse to ensure the retention of habitat, prevent disturbance to the watercourse and minimise the risk of riverbank erosion. The applicant is advised to contact the Inland Fisheries Section for further advice if necessary. N 1. Contact the M.E.A. Planning Department (Tel. 687781), to discuss the electricity supply for this application. I confirm that this decision accords with Government Circular No 31/07 (Delegation of Functions to Senior Planning Officer) Decision Made : Permitted Date : 5/2/08 Signed : _________________________ Mrs F Mullen Senior Planning Officer --- *Data sourced from the Isle of Man public planning register under the [Isle of Man Open Government Licence](https://www.gov.im/about-this-site/open-government-licence/).* *Canonical page: https://planningportal.im/a/84321-santon-mallards-ballavale-road-agricultural-building/documents/1233265*