variation of its own condition 5, which would increase the number of tent pitches to 200
5 September 2016 · Committee
Ballafletcher Sports Centre, Braddan Road, Strang, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM4 4rs
This application sought to vary a condition attached to an earlier planning approval for Ballafletcher Sports Centre in Braddan. The change would allow up to 60 temporary camping pitches at any one time on the curtilage of one of the rugby pitches at the sports ground, increasing the number permitted under the previous consent. The site sits within Ballafletcher sports ground, which includes rugby and football pitches, a pavilion, changing rooms, a clubhouse, and parking for at least 110 vehicles. The site is visible from Ballafletcher Road and lies adjacent to Nobles Hospital to the north and northeast. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, acting through its committee, approved the application. Key planning issues examined included the effect on neighbouring living conditions, highway safety, the visual impact of the campsite, the adequacy of facilities, and any impact on the operation of Nobles Hospital.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture approved the application on 5 September 2016. The committee permitted the variation to allow up to 60 temporary camping pitches at any one time, having considered the impact on neighbouring living conditions, highway safety, and the visual impact of the campsite.
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
General Policy 3
Development will not be permitted outside of those areas which are zoned for development
General Policy 3: Development will not be permitted outside of those areas which are zoned for development on the appropriate Area Plan with the exception of: (a) essential housing for agricultural workers who have to live close to their place of work; (Housing Policies 7, 8, 9 and 10); (b) conversion of redundant rural buildings which are of architectural, historic, or social value and interest; (Housing Policy 11); (c) previously developed land (1) which contains a significant amount of building; where the continued use is redundant; where redevelopment would reduce the impact of the current situation on the landscape or the wider environment; and where the development proposed would result in improvements to the landscape or wider environment; (d) the replacement of existing rural dwellings; (Housing Policies 12, 13 and 14); (e) location-dependent development in connection with the working of minerals or the provision of necessary services; (f) building and engineering operations which are essential for the conduct of agriculture or forestry; (g) development recognised to be of overriding national need in land use planning terms and for which there is no reasonable and acceptable alternative; and (h) buildings or works required for interpretation of the countryside, its wildlife or heritage. 6.4 Planning Agreements 6.4.1 Where development is acceptable and in accordance with the provisions of this Plan and the relevant Area Plan, but raises issues which cannot be addressed by the imposition of planning conditions, the Department will seek to conclude an Agreement with the developer under Section 13 of the 1999 Town and Country Planning Act.
Business Policy 11
Tourism development must be in accordance with the sustainable development 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.
Transport Policy 4
highways which serve any new development must be designed so as to be capable of accommodating the vehicle and pedestrian journeys
Transport Policy 4: The new and existing highways which serve any n ew development must be designed so as to be capable of accommodating the vehicle and pedestrian journeys generated by that development in a safe and appropriate manner, and in accordance with the environmental objectives of this plan. 11.3.2 Notwithstanding policies within this plan which encourage travel by means other than private car it is anticipated that the number of vehicles using the Island's roads will continue to increase. This increase in demand is likely to lead to a greater need for road impro vements in order that travel can take place in a safe, effective, and environmentally acceptable manner. The Department of Transport will continue to assess the need for such improvements to public highways and undertake works where appropriate, with much of the improvement within existing roads carried out under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development) Order2005. The need for improvements to the Island's highway network must be balanced against the environmental objectives of this plan.
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 camp site may be available for use no earlier than the day before the first practice associated with the TT races and up to the day after the last race and the camp site may be erected within three days before this and taken down within three days after this.
Condition 3
There shall be no pitching of tents outside of the rugby pitch as defined on Drawing 1080-SL01, date-stamped as having been received 9th August 2016.
Condition 4
Car parking and manoeuvring areas shall be provided and remain free from obstruction.
Condition 5
The maximum number of pitches to be available for use shall be restricted to 60.
Condition 6
There shall be no vehicular access to the site other than via the hospital access road.
variation of its own condition 5, which would increase the number of tent pitches to 200
laying out of sports pitches and associated car parking