25 February 2026 · Committee
Ballakermeen High School, St. Catherines Drive, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 4be
Permission was granted for the temporary use of the playing fields at Ballakermeen High School, St Catherine's Drive, Douglas, as a campsite accommodating up to 150 bell tents during TT and Manx Grand Prix events from 2026 onwards. The application was considered by committee, which approved it subject to six conditions. During the meeting, members sought clarification on the years of operation, as the original application was open-ended. This led to an amendment restricting operation to the years 2026 to 2031 inclusive. The school is located in a built-up residential area surrounded by housing on all sides. The officer's report identified the principle of development, visual impact, traffic and parking, neighbours' amenities, and economic benefit as the key planning issues.
The committee approved the application for temporary use of the school playing fields as a campsite during TT and Manx Grand Prix events. During the committee meeting, members sought clarification on the years of operation, leading to an amendment restricting use to 2026 to 2031 inclusive under Condition 4. The key planning issues considered included the principle of development, visual impact, traffic and parking, neighbours' amenities, and economic benefit.
Tourist development proposals
The proposal is considered to comply with Strategic Policy 8
Strategic Policy 8: Tourist development proposals will generally be permitted where they make use of existing built fabric of interest and quality, where they do not affect adversely environmental, agricultural, or highway interests and where they enable enjoyment of our natural and man - made attractions. 4.4.5 This policy reflects the general restriction on new development outside defined development zones. Tourist proposals in the countryside will normally be required to meet the above criteria. 4.4.6 Viable and vibrant town and village centres not only provide the opportunity for economic success, but also provide convenient and accessible amenities for all members of the community and an opportunity to obtain renewal of some of our poorer built fabric. Accordingly:
General Development Considerations
General Policy 2: Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development: (a) is in accordance with the design brief in the Area Plan where there is such a brief; (b) respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them; (c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape; (d) does not adversely affect the protected wildlife or locally important habitats on the site or adjacent land, including water courses; (e) does not affect adversely public views of the sea; (f) incorporates where possible existing topography and landscape features, particularly trees and sod banks; (g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality; (h) provides satisfactory amenity standards in itself, including where appropriate safe and convenient access for all highway users, together with adequate parking, servicing and manoeuvring space; (i) does not have an unacceptable effect on road safety or traffic flows on the local highways; (j) can be provided with all necessary services; (k) does not prejudice the use or development of adjoining land in accordance with the appropriate Area Plan; (l) is not on contaminated land or subject to unreasonable risk of erosion or flooding; (m) takes account of community and personal safety and security in the design of buildings and the spaces around them; and (n) is designed having due regard to best practice in reducing energy consumption. 6.3 Development outside of areas zoned for development
Statutory Nuisances
Environment Policy 22: Development will not be permitted where it would unacceptably harm the environment and/or the amenity of nearby properties in terms of: i) pollution of sea, surface water or groundwater; ii) emissions of airborne pollutants; and iii) vibration, odour, noise or light pollution. 7.17.2 In addition to the above, changes in the activities associated with the current permitted use of land or a building, which in themselves do not constitute development and therefore do not require planning permission, can have an adverse impact on adjacent properties by virtue of noise, light or general disturbance. For example the addition of security lig hting on a property may cause light pollution affecting adjacent properties and the wider area. The introduction of new activities into established parks and recreation areas can have an impact on neighbours. In such cases the Department would advocate t he person or organisation considering the change to give careful consideration to the potential impact of such activity in terms of location, siting and design.
Tourism proposals in accordance with sustainable objectives
Business Policy 11: Tourism development must be in accordance with the sustainable development objectives of this plan; policies and designat ions which seek to protect the countryside from development will be applied to tourist development with as much weight as they are to other types of development. Within the rural areas there may be (1) Tourism Strategy 2004 - 2008 Fit for the Future Department of Tourism and Leisure April 2004 situations where existing rural buildings could be used f or tourist use and Environment Policy 16 sets out the circumstances where this may be permitted.
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Condition 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.
Condition 3
There shall be a maximum of 150 tents pitched within the site during the approved period of operation.
Condition 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.
Condition 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.
Condition 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.
Temporary erection of 150 bell tents for camping during TT period, between the following dates: 27th May - 14th June 2022, 26th May - 13th June 2023, 31st May - 18th June 2024 & 30th May - 17th June 2025.
identical applications for Bell tents to the playing fields
Temporary change of use from school grounds to a campsite of a maximum of 150 bell tents for the periods 27th May to 15th June 2017, 26th May to 14th June 2018, 25th May to 12th June 2019 and 30th May to 17th June 2020.
identical applications for Bell tents to the playing fields
Temporary change of use from school grounds to a campsite of a maximum of 150 bell tents for the period 27th May to 17th June 2016 in connection with the TT Races.
identical applications for Bell tents to the playing fields