11 May 2016 · Delegated
Isle Of Man Milk Marketing, Creamery, Ballafletcher Road, Cronkbourne, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM4 4qe
Isle of Man Creamery Limited applied to install three replacement milk storage silos at their site on Ballafletcher Farm Road, Cronkbourne, Douglas. The application was decided by a Senior Planning Officer under delegated authority and was permitted on 11 May 2016. The central planning issue was whether the silos would have an adverse visual impact on the appearance and character of the surrounding area. The officer's assessment found that the site slopes considerably from west to east, placing the silos at the lower end of the site. Despite their size, they stand only slightly above the neighbouring buildings and are barely visible from the nearby road and lane to the east. On that basis, the proposal was considered to have very little impact on the surrounding area and was approved subject to one condition.
The application was approved by a Senior Planning Officer acting under delegated authority. The key planning question was whether the silos would harm the appearance and character of the area. The officer concluded they would not, given that the site slopes downward and the silos sit at the lower end, making them barely visible from nearby roads and not prominent in the surrounding area.
Strategic Plan
The proposal is considered to accord with the requirements of 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
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Development has been approved on the site of the former abattoir immediately to the north of the site (industrial units)
none of which is considered relevant to the current application
development of industrial units approved but never implemented, across the lane to the north east
none of which is considered relevant to the current application
