Erection of replacement shed for use as stores, office in association with repair of agricultural vehicles and machinery and agriculture (retrospective)

Why Was This Refused?

• ✓Retrospective application for a replacement shed at Squeen Farm, Ballaugh, used for vehicle and machinery repair and agricultural storage
• ✓No sufficient justification provided to overcome the presumption against countryside development
• ✓Building's domestic appearance considered out of character with the rural and high-value landscape setting
• ✓Site located in an area of High Landscape or Coastal Value and Scenic Significance
• ✓Both the officer recommendation and the final decision were to refuse
• ✓character
• ✓design
• ✓materials

This retrospective application sought permission for a replacement shed at Squeen Farm, Ballaugh, to be used as stores and an office in connection with the repair of agricultural vehicles and machinery, as well as for agricultural purposes. The application was submitted by Mr Eddie Quirk and decided on delegated authority. The application was refused for two reasons. The department found no sufficient justification to set aside the established presumption against development outside areas zoned for development, concluding the building represented unwarranted development harmful to the countryside. Additionally, the building's design, colour, and finish were judged to give it a domestic appearance that was not in keeping with the character of the area or its countryside setting, which lies within an area of High Landscape or Coastal Value and Scenic Significance. The officer report noted that the access road to Squeen Farm runs along the north and eastern elevations of the building, with the western elevation facing the main farm yard and the southern elevation facing a shipping container and a barn beyond.

The application was refused on two grounds. First, there was no sufficient justification to set aside the general presumption against development outside designated zones, making the building unwarranted development harmful to the countryside. Second, the design, colour, and finish gave the building a domestic appearance out of keeping with its countryside setting, which falls within an area of High Landscape or Coastal Value and Scenic Significance.

Planning History (5)

Documents (15)