**Document:** Officer Planning Report Duplicate **Application:** 06/01329/D — Erection of signage **Decision:** Refused **Decision Date:** 2006-10-13 **Parish:** Malew **Document Type:** report / officer_report **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/81443-malew-ballahowin-farm-braaid-road-st-signage/documents/1478002 --- # Officer Planning Report Duplicate [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 site represents the holding of Ballahowin Farm, situated on both sides of the A28 highway which links St. Mark’s with the Braaid. The holding includes a group of farm buildings including modern portal framed structures, a farmhouse and a group of stone farm buildings which have been recently converted to tourist accommodation. [Table omitted in markdown export] The site lies within an area designated on the Isle of Man Planning Scheme (Development Plan) Order 1982 as partly Woodland (the eastern side of the road) and white land - that is, not designated for development on the western side. ### Planning History The following applications have been submitted in respect of this site: - PA 00/2059 - approval in principle for conversion of farm buildings to tourist accommodation - permitted - PA 01/2224 - conversion of farm buildings to 12 tourist units - permitted - PA 01/2225 - erection of agricultural building - permitted - PA 04/2558 - erection of agricultural activity building and farm shop, livestock pens, access track, landscaping and car parking - permitted on review - PA 05/92151 - retrospective application for the installation of dormer windows to replace rooflights - permitted - PA 06/0151 - installation of additional dormer windows - permitted ### The Proposal Proposed now is the installation of two signs, one to the north east of the entrance on the eastern side of the road and one to the south west on the western side of the road. Both signs are to be relatively small, timber signs 2 feet by 2 feet 6 - indicating the entrance to the farm complex. ### Assessment Whilst the Society for the Preservation of the Manx Countryside and Environment are rightly concerned about the proliferation of signs, I was confused about the access to the property when I approached from the south, turning into Lower Ballahowin before realising it was the next entrance to the north. However, Bridge Nurseries appear to operate satisfactorily without additional signage. In addition, more noticeable signage at the entrance, on both sides of the entrance may be successful in advising those who wish to visit the site to use the correct entrance. The information which is sent out to prospective occupants would specify how to get to the site. The inclusion of the telephone number on the sign is not necessarily advertising: if potential occupants are lost then a telephone number may be helpful, although one would imagine that they would already have that before setting out to visit the site. The signage could be seen as unnecessary clutter alongside the road and could establish a precedent for further signage in association with other existing and future businesses in the vicinity. ### Party Status The Department of Transport and the local authority are, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5) (c) and (d), considered "interested persons" and as such should be afforded party status despite neither having submitted views in this instance. Society for the Preservation of the Manx Countryside and the Environment is not directly affected by the proposal and as such should not be afforded party status in this instance. Whilst Manx Electricity Authority represents a statutory authority, the points raised in correspondence relate to working practices and not planning and as such should not be afforded party status in this instance. ### Recommendation ## Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal C: Conditions for approval N: Notes attached to conditions R: Reasons for refusal O: Notes attached to refusals R 1. The erection of signage on the hedges as proposed would introduce clutter in an otherwise natural landscape and could establish a precedent for further signage in similar locations in this and other locations in the countryside for established and future businesses and facilities. Note: this refusal is without prejudice to a further application for an application for signage at the entrance to the site. I confirm that this decision accords with Government Circular Nos 44/05 (Delegation of Functions to Director of Planning and Building Control) and 47/05 (Delegation of Functions to Senior Planning Officer) Decision Made: Refused Date: 12/10/06 Signed: M. I. McCauley Director of Planning and Building Control --- *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/81443-malew-ballahowin-farm-braaid-road-st-signage/documents/1478002*