**Document:** Officer Report
**Application:** 25/91202/B — Additional use and extension of time of the TT and Festival of Motorcycling hospitality facility as approved under 14/00170/B for the Food and Drink Festival.
**Decision:** Permitted
**Decision Date:** 2026-03-12
**Parish:** Douglas
**Document Type:** report / officer_report
**Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/130602-douglas-part-of-playing-extension/documents/1592048

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# Officer Report

### Planning Officer Report And Recommendations

**Application No.:** 25/91202/B
**Applicant:** Business Agency
**Proposal:** Additional use and extension of time of the TT and Festival of Motorcycling hospitality facility as approved under 14/00170/B for the Food and Drink Festival.
**Site Address:** Part Of Playing Fields Nobles Park Douglas Isle Of Man Principal Planner: Chris Balmer
**Expected Decision Level:** Planning Committee
**Recommended Decision:** Permitted
**Date of Recommendation:** 23.02.2026
Conditions and Notes for Approval C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions

- C 1. The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.

Reason: To comply with Article 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.

- C 2. In any given calendar year, the marquee shall not be in situ more than 14 days before the first day of practice week for the TT, and shall be removed by the earlier of either: 14 days after the last day of the Food Festival; or the 14th October.

Reason; The application has only been considered on the basis of a temporary use, for the time period proposed and to ensure the area of open space is restored to its original use. Whilst the dates of the TT, Festival of Motorcycling and Food Festival may vary in any given year the application has been assessed on the basis of the Food Festival taking place during September and re-removal following the festival taking up to 14 days.

- C 3. In any given calendar year, should the marquee for the Food Festival not occur/not be required it shall be removed 14 days after the last day of the Festival of Motorcycling. The site shall be restored to its former condition within 14 days of the marquee being removed.

Reason; The application has only been considered on the basis of a temporary use, for the time period proposed and to ensure the area of open space is restored to its original use.

- C 4. No customers, visitors, guests or patrons shall occupy the marquee in connection with the Food Festival outside the following hours:

Monday to Saturdays - 1000hrs to 2100hrs Sundays - 1100hrs to 1800hrs

Reason: These are the times proposed and the proposal has been considered on these times only.

### This application has been recommended for approval for the following reason.

Overall, it is considered the additional time and use of the temporary marquee building for use for the "Food Festival" would be acceptable for the reasons outlined and would have no significant adverse impacts upon public or private amenities and therefore complies with General Policy 2, Environment Policy 22, Recreation Policy 2, Transport Policy 7 of the IOM Strategic Plan.

Plans/Drawings/Information; This approval relates to the submitted documents and drawing all received on 19.12.2025.
Right to Appeal It is recommended that the following organisations should NOT be given the Right to Appeal: DOI Highway Services - No Objection Local Authority - No Objection/no comments received

## Officer’s Report

THIS APPLICATION IS REFERRED TO THE PLANNING COMMITTEE BECAUSE THE PROPOSAL COULD BE CONSIDERED CONTRARY TO THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN BUT RECOMMENDED FOR AN APPROVAL

### 1.0 THE APPLICATION SITE

1.1 The application site is located at Nobles Park, Douglas. It is situated just to the south side of Glencrutchery Road to the west of the TT Grandstand. The site forms part of the northern side of the park open fields and is relatively flat. It is bounded by Glencrutchery Road on its north side. To the east, the site boundary adjoins the area of the TT Grandstand, public toilets and a number of single storey buildings and the large expanse of hardstanding utilities for a variety is uses, including car parking. To the south of the site are playing fields and beyond is the Nobles Park Pavillion which accommodates a restaurant and function rooms. The application site is accessed from existing roads within Nobels Park.

1.2 To the opposite side of Glencrutchery Road to the north is the cemetery. The nearest residential properties to the proposed building are on Charles Court apartments, to the north side of Glencrutchery Road, approximately 107+ metres from the northwestern corner of the building in question.

### 2.0 THE PROPOSAL

2.1 The application seeks planning approval for the additional use and extension of time of the TT and Festival of Motorcycling hospitality facility as approved under 14/00170/B for the Food and Drink Festival.

2.2 The application submission indicates;

"The event is to be held at Noble's Park and the Grandstand to benefit from the available onsite parking and existing infrastructure. The site was selected following a consultation for suitable locations within the Douglas area. The hospitality tent in question will be used to accommodate Food Producers and for the delivery of cooking demonstrations. The event is proposed to be held on the following dates and times for 2026, for a duration of two (2) days only:

- Saturday 19th September 2025 (10am - 9pm)
- Sunday 20th September 2025 (11am - 6pm)

The date of the festival may vary year on year depending on a number of factors; however, the dates would not extend beyond the month of September. The tent would be taken down after the festival has stopped."

2.3 The submission also indicates; "For the successful set-up and breakdown of the event the intent of the planning application will be in two parts. A request for an extension on the use of the existing Planning application for the use of the Hospitality Tent used during the TT and Motorcycling festival. This would require the tent to remain in situ beyond the permitted 10 days post motor festival event for a total period of 30 days, this number would include the 10 days post Food & Drink event for take-down."

### 3.0 PLANNING HISTORY

3.1 The following planning applications on the site and nearby sites all within Nobel's Park are considered relevant in the determination of this application: On application site

3.2 Erection of a hospitality facility for the TT and Festival of Motorcycling, including use for additional events, as detailed in the agent's email of 11th February 2014 - 14/00170/B APPROVED subject to the following conditions; "C 3. In any given calendar year, the marquee shall not be in situ more than 14 days before the first day of practice week for the TT, or more than 14 days after the last race day of the Festival of Motorcycling. The site shall be restored to its former condition within 14 days of the marquee being removed.

- C 4. Other than the circumstances provided for by condition 5 of this approval, the marquee shall not operate and shall not be occupied by customers, visitors, guests or patrons for more than 14 days each year in connection with the Isle of Man TT event, and for more than 14 days each year in connection with the Festival of Motorcycling event (i.e. a total of 28 days each year). Other than these circumstances, and those provided for by condition 5, the marquee shall not be used. No customers, visitors, guests or patrons shall be served or remain in the marquee outside the following hours: 09:30 to 23:00.
- C 5. In addition to the circumstances provided for by condition 4 of this approval, the marquee shall not be operated for more than six annual events, limited to the period between the Isle of Man TT and Festival of Motorcycling events. Each event shall be limited to no more than two consecutive days each.

No customers, visitors, guests or patrons shall occupy the marquee in connection with these events outside the following hours: Monday to Saturdays - 9:30 to 0:00 Sundays - 9:30 to 18:00 Only one of the two days for each event shall operate outside the hours of 9:30 to 18:00.

These additional events shall not be operated unless at least 14 days written notice has been given to the Planning Authority before each event occurs, including the dates of the event and clarification of which if any of the days is to operate until 0:00 hours, in order that the Planning Authority may monitor the number and type of events provided for by this condition.

The events provided for by condition 5 shall not include private parties, weddings, Christenings or other religious ceremonies, or music events.

- C 6. The use of the marquee for the additional events provided for by condition 5 of this approval shall only be permitted to be carried out during the calendar year of 2014. After 2014, these additional events shall not be carried out, condition 5 will cease to have an effect, and the marquee shall only be used in accordance with the provisions of condition 4 of this approval.
- C 7. There shall be no amplified music outside the hours of 09:30 and 23:00.
- C 8. There shall be no vehicle parking for customers, visitors, guests or patrons of the marquee in connection with the uses provided for by condition 5 of this approval, unless in the area annotated No. 7 on Drawing Number 112 01A received on 24 March 2014."

Nearby sites

3.3 Erection of a temporary building to be used as a bar and hospitality facility during the TT and Festival of Motoring periods - 18/00104/B - APPROVED

3.4 Erection of a temporary 240 bed hotel and marquee for a two week period (Practice and TT Race weeks) on a permanent basis - 13/91530/B - APPROVED

### 4.0 POLICY

4.1 The Area Plan for the East (APE) identifies the area as being Open Space - Park. The site is not within a Conservation Area.

4.2 The following policies in the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016 (IOMSP) are considered relevant:

- - General Policy 2 - Development Control considerations
- - Environment Policy 22 - prevention of emissions/pollution which would unacceptably harm the environment and/or the amenity of nearby properties.
- - Recreation Policy 2 - protected of Open Space and recreation facilities.
- - Transport Policy 7 - Parking Standards.

4.3 The following non-planning documents are considered capable of being material considerations in this case:

- - Isle of Man Government's Food Matter's Strategy - The Food Matters Strategy is the Isle of Man Government's long term development strategy aimed at growing and supporting the Island's food and drink sector, improving food security, and strengthening the Island's agricultural economy. It was originally launched in 2014 and covers the period 2015-2025. It forms part of a wider set of government strategies relating to agriculture, environment, and economic development.
- - Our Island Plan 2025-26 - Although the Island Plan is broad and high level, several sections clearly connect to food, drink, agriculture, and food security. These links come mainly through the Plan's "Secure", "Vibrant", and "Sustainable" themes, as well as its alignment with sector strategies such as Food Matters and Business Isle of Man's Food & Drink programme. The Island Plan incorporates the Government's economic strategy through 2026, which includes support for key industries—food and drink being one of them. The Plan integrates the Economic Strategy with the Island Plan's objectives, providing a shared framework for:

- Boosting sector productivity
- Supporting Manx producers

- Enabling export growth.

### 5.0 REPRESENTATIONS

5.1 Douglas Borough Council comment (09.02.2026); "This will be considered by the Council's Executive Committee at a meeting to be held on the 26th February. We will provide you with our comments shortly after this date."

5.2 Highways Division make the following comments (02.02.2026): "o As the planning application is just for the extension of operation of the hospitality building, this would not be opposed by HDC as the existing layout of the building is acceptable.
- This response does not review any Traffic Management or festival operation and provides no comment on the festival layout or TM for the Food and Drink Festival."

### 6.0 ASSESSMENT

6.1 In terms of the material planning consideration it is considered the following are relevant in the determination of the application: principle of development; the potential impact upon neighbouring residential amenities; potential impact upon visual amenities of the area; and access and parking. Principle of development

6.2 Firstly, as indicated previously the site is designated as "Open Space - Park" under the Area Plan for the East, therefore the proposal would not fall within this use. However, it is not considered an automatic reason to refuse the application in this case.

6.3 The proposal essentially is for the additional/continues use of the lawful temporary marquee building which installed prior to the TT and kept in place and used during the Festival of Motorcycling where it is then taken down soon after in line with Conditions attached under 14/00170/B. This year the Festival of Motorcycling last day is Friday 28th August. Accordingly, to comply with the Condition 3, the marquee building is required to be removed from the site 14 days after the last race day of the Festival of Motorcycling, this year that date would be 11th September 2026. The proposal under consideration now seeks to extend the period that the marquee building can be retained to enable the Food Festival (now rebranded to "The Big Manx Feast") to operate. This year the festival takes place on the Saturday 19th September and Sunday 20th September. The applicants have outlined that these dates will change each year; however, the festival is currently planned to be in the month of September only. On the basis of the dates of the festival this year and a 14 day takedown period (as required by Condition 3), then this year the Department would seek the marquee is taken down on the 4th October 2026, which is an additional 23 days.

6.4 The applicants have outlined within their submission that; the proposed event is supported by strong economic and strategic justification, as previous Isle of Man Food & Drink Festivals have demonstrated significant economic benefits by attracting thousands of visitors and generating substantial support for local producers. The festival also aligns with the Isle of Man Government's Food Matters Strategy, which seeks to grow the food and drink sector, enhance food security, and strengthen the Manx brand. Operationally, the use of the existing TT/MGP hospitality tent at Noble's Park provides considerable cost and logistical advantages, offering a weather resilient, accessible structure that minimises additional development. Noble's Park is an established major events venue with existing infrastructure—including parking, toilets, catering facilities, and accessibility features—and its proximity to Douglas town centre and the TT Grandstand further supports visitor accessibility and familiarity. Scheduling the festival immediately after the MGP allows efficient reuse of temporary infrastructure already in place, reducing setup time, environmental impact, and overall disruption. As the park is already designated for temporary event use in connection with TT and MGP activities, it remains a suitable location for short term events of this nature. The event's limited operating hours have been designed to minimise disturbance to nearby residential properties, and the site's close

- proximity to bus routes supports opportunities for public transport and potential shuttle services, helping to mitigate traffic and congestion impacts.

6.5 The Department would agree with the reasoning for the proposal outlined by the applicants and also why this site has been chosen. Arguably, one of the main issues against the proposal is the loss of a section of the park field which will be unavailable for recreation use. However, it is noted, that this area is not part of the formal football pitches (which are to the west and have just been upgraded/levelled) or any designated sports pitches. Further the extension of time sought this year would be around 23 days, albeit this period could be longer if the festival was held later in September. There has to be careful consideration when considering each application for this type of development within Nobel's Park that such development does not result in the erosion of the open space which is open to the public.

6.6 However, this section of the park immediately adjacent to the Grandstand arguable creates more benefits to the IOM through the TT and Festival of Motorcycling events with significant cultural and economic importance to the Isle of Man and this currently proposal would only add to this with the Food Festival, which is an important event for local business and provides a much visitor event my IOM residents and potential form further afield. Furthermore, while this section of the park will not be useable, there is still a significance area of Nobels Park which would be unaffected.

6.7 Overall, is felt that a reasonable exception can be made for the loss of open space for the proposed additional period. However, whether the proposal is ultimately acceptable overall should depend upon the consideration of the following planning impacts. The potential impact upon neighbouring residential amenities

6.8 The nearest residential neighbours are at Charles Court apartments, to the north side of Glencrutchery Road, approximately 107+ metres from the northwestern corner of the building in question. The use of the marquee to accommodate Food Producers and for the delivery of cooking demonstrations would operate between the hours of 10am and 9pm on the Saturday and 11am and 6pm on the Sunday. It is not considered this operation would cause any significant harm to nearby residents given the proposed uses and the hours proposed. It should be noted that the area to the rear of the Grandstand is also to be use for the festival. However, these fall potentially under the Temporary Permitted Development Order (applicants have confirmed this is the case) and therefore the impact caused by these elements are not matters to consider. It is likely that the main impact will be an increase in traffic and people coming and going from the site, rather than the uses of the festival. A condition restricting the hours of operation as outlined by the applicants could be attached to any approval.

6.9 Overall, given the temporary nature of the proposal, its location a distance from neighbouring residential properties and essentially the operation of the site is for two additional days only between the hours of 10am and 9pm on the Saturday and 11am - 6pm on a Sunday, it is considered the proposal would not result in a significant adverse impact upon neighbouring amenities to warrant a refusal. The effect of the proposal upon the character and appearance of the area

6.10 Nobles Park and the general area changes dramatically during the TT and Festival of Motorcycling events, with the marquee building forming part of these changes. Overall, the retention of the proposed marquee would be proportionate with this change in the character of the area and, in the context of other TT related development and paraphernalia, would be visually acceptable. Access and parking

6.11 The proposed uses within the marquee (and visitors to the other parts of the festival) would utilise existing parking found within Nobels Park/Grandstand area, namely immensely to the east and south of the Grandstand. The site is also very close to existing bus routes and

walking distance to a number of residential properties in Douglas. Highway Services have considered the scheme and raise no objection.

### 7.0 CONCLUSION

7.1 Overall, it is considered the additional time and use of the temporary marquee building for use for the "Food Festival" would be acceptable for the reasons outlined and would have no significant adverse impacts upon public or private amenities and therefore complies with General Policy 2, Environment Policy 22, Recreation Policy 2, Transport Policy 7 of the IOM Strategic Plan.

7.2 It is recommended that the application should be approved subject to the conditions listed.

### 8.0 RIGHT TO APPEAL AND RIGHT TO GIVE EVIDENCE

8.1 The Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019 sets out the process for determining planning applications (including appeals). It sets out a Right to Appeal (i.e. to submit an appeal against a planning decision) and a Right to Give Evidence at Appeals (i.e. to participate in an appeal if one is submitted).

8.2 Article A10 sets out that the right to appeal is available to:

- applicant (in all cases);
- a Local Authority; Government Department; Manx Utilities; and Manx National Heritage that submit a relevant objection; and
- any other person who has made an objection that meets specified criteria.

8.3 Article 8(2)(a) requires that in determining an application, the Department must decide who has a right to appeal, in accordance with the criteria set out in article A10.

8.4 The Order automatically affords the Right to Give Evidence to the following (no determination is required):

- any appellant or potential appellant (which includes the applicant);
- the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, the Department of Infrastructure and the local authority for the area;
- any other person who has submitted written representations (this can include other Government Departments and Local Authorities); and
- in the case of a petition, a single representative.

8.5 The Department of Environment Food and Agriculture is responsible for the determination of planning applications. As a result, where officers within the Department make

comments in a professional capacity they cannot be given the Right to Appeal

## I confirm that this decision has been made by the Planning Committee in accordance with the authority afforded to that body by the appropriate DEFA Delegation and that in making this decision the Committee has agreed the recommendation in relation to who should be afforded interested person status and/or rights to appeal.

Decision Made: Permitted Date: 02.03.2026 Signed : Mrs Vanessa Porter Presenting Officer

Customer note This copy of the officer report reflects the content of the office copy and has been produced in this form for the benefit of our online service/ customers and archive record.

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*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/130602-douglas-part-of-playing-extension/documents/1592048*