26 November 2020 · Delegated
Field 414532, Barracks Road, Port St Mary, Isle Of Man, IM9 6da
Permission was granted for works to create a public park on land at Barracks Road, Port St. Mary. The proposal included landscaping, a new pedestrian access point, parking provision, and a running track. The site is a relatively flat parcel of land connecting Church Road with Ballafesson Road, with existing permission for recreational pitches. It has limited access points — one pedestrian and one vehicular — and its boundary with the Ponyfields is formed by a mix of walling and fencing. The officer considered the character and appearance of the area, the living conditions of nearby residents, highway safety, and ecology.
The application was permitted on 26 November 2020 under delegated authority. The officer recommended approval, and the decision aligned with that recommendation. Key planning issues considered included the character and appearance of the area, the living conditions of neighbouring residents, and highway safety.
General Policy 1
The proposal accords with the development brief in the Area Plan, General Policy 1 and Recreation Policies 3 and 4 of the Strategic Plan
General Policy 1: The determination of matters under Part 2 (Development Control) and Part 3 (Special Controls) of the 1999 Town and Country Planning Act shall have regard to the provisions of the Development Plan and all other material considerations. In this way, development will be directed towards sui table or preferred locations and away from unsuitable or undesirable locations. 6.1.3 Several planning issues and policies apply throughout the Strategic Plan. These are set out in this chapter rather than being repeated in each of the subsequent chapters. 6.2 Development within land-use zones
Recreation Policy 3
The proposal accords with the development brief in the Area Plan, General Policy 1 and Recreation Policies 3 and 4 of the Strategic Plan
Recreation Policy 3: Where appropriate, new development should include the provision of landscaped amenity areas as an integra l part of the design. New residential development of ten or more dwellings must make provision for recreational and amenity space in accordance with the standards specified in Appendix 6 to the Plan. 10.3.9 Open Space in new developments should be provid ed within the site, but where it is impractical to provide the recreational space within the site, consideration may be given either to (a) provision off-site, but conveniently close thereto; or to (b) the use of commuted sums, which, under the terms of a section 13 Agreement, would be paid to the Local Authority as a contribution towards the provision of community recreational open space. Further details of these requirements are included in Appendix 6.
Recreation Policy 4
The proposal accords with the development brief in the Area Plan, General Policy 1 and Recreation Policies 3 and 4 of the Strategic Plan
Recreation Policy 4: Open Space must be provided on site or conveniently close to the development which it is intended to serve, and should be easily accessible by foot and public transport.
General Policy 2
It is also relevant to consider the following Strategic Plan policies which are applicable for this site: General Policy 2
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
