**Document:** Decision Notice **Application:** 25/91133/C — Temporary use as campsite for up to 150 bell tents during TT and Manx Grand Prix from 2026 onwards **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2026-02-25 **Parish:** Douglas **Document Type:** decision / decision_notice **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/130580-douglas-ballakermeen-high-school/documents/1592203 --- # Decision Notice TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1999 The Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019 In pursuance of powers granted under the above Act and Order the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture determined to APPROVE an application by Ballakermeen High School DESC, Ref 25/91133/C, for the Temporary use as campsite for up to 150 bell tents during TT and Manx Grand Prix from 2026 onwards at Ballakermeen High School St Catherines Drive Douglas Isle Of Man IM1 4BE . Any conditions or notes which apply to the approval are set out below. This approval is subject to compliance with any conditions listed and may not be implemented until it becomes final (see guidance notes). - 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. - 2. The vehicular access onto St. Catherine's Drive at the southwest corner of the site shall be used for vehicular exit only and shall not be used for vehicular entry. There shall be no means of vehicular access directly onto Westbourne Drive to the east. Reason: In the interests of highway safety. - 3. There shall be a maximum of 150 tents pitched within the site during the approved period of operation. Reason: In the interests of public and private amenity. - 4. The use of the site for camping hereby approved shall only be undertaken in connection with; - (a) The Isle of Man TT; - (b) Manx Grand Prix; - (c) Isle of Man Classic TT; - (d) Southern 100; - (e) Pre-TT Classic Races. Reason: The application is for the use of the site for the upcoming four years of motorcycling events (TT & MGP) only and the assessment has been made on this temporary basis. While provision should be made for setting up and dismantling the camp site, the site should not be used for camping outside those times reasonably associated with these race periods. - 5. Unless otherwise approved in writing by the Department, the set-up and removal of the tents shall be undertaken no sooner than 5 days before the first designated practice for any of the purposes mentioned in condition 4. Any structure and tents must be dismantled and removed from the site no later than 3 days following the last race for any of the purposes mentioned in Condition 4. Reason: for the avoidance of doubt and because the application is for the use of the site for the upcoming four years of TT motorcycling events only and the assessment has been made on this temporary basis of the site during the motorsport periods. - 6. The parking area, as shown on the location plan, shall not be used other than for the parking of vehicles in connection with the school and camping use hereby approved. Reason: To ensure that sufficient provision is made for off-street parking and turning of vehicles in the interests of highway safety. This approval relates to the documents, location plan, photos, illustration and tent location plan as having been received on 3rd December 2025 This decision has been made for the following reasons(s) The proposal is considered to comply with Strategic Policy 8, General Policy 2, Environment Policy 22, and Business Policy 11 of the Strategic Plan 2016. Date of Issue: 25th February 2026 A MORGAN Interim Director of Planning and Building Control Guidance Note This decision was made by the Planning Committee in accordance with the authority delegated to it. This decision refers only to that applied for under the Town and Country Planning Act 1999 and its subordinate legislation. A copy of the Officer’s report and any correspondence which informed the assessment and decision is available to view on the Government’s website (via https://pbc.gov.im/onlineapplications/) Implementation A determination to grant planning approval does not have effect — -  if an appeal is submitted until the appeal is determined or withdrawn; or -  if no appeal is submitted, but there are potential appellants in addition to the applicant, until the time within which an appeal may be submitted has expired (21 days from the date of this notice). Development must be carried out in accordance with the approved plans and any attached conditions (irrespective of any changes that may separately be requested at the Building Control stage or by any other Statutory Authority). This approval does not remove the need to also comply with any other relevant legislation. Any conditions requiring certain works, submissions etc. prior to commencement of development must be fulfilled prior to work starting on site. Failure to adhere to this approval and meet the requirements of all conditions may invalidate this approval or result in formal enforcement action. Appeal Any appeal can only be made by a person who has been accorded rights to do so, must be in writing, include the appropriate fee and be submitted to the Department within 21 days of the date of this Notice. Guidance on how to appeal is available at gov.im/howtoappeal --- *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/130580-douglas-ballakermeen-high-school/documents/1592203*