31 May 2019 · 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, increasing the number of permitted temporary camping pitches from 60 to 120 at any one time. The site forms part of the curtilage of a rugby pitch at Ballafletcher sports ground, located to the south-east of the main car park and hospital buildings of Nobles Hospital. The case officer recommended refusal, identifying that the proposed increase would generate a significant rise in traffic and demand for car parking that could not be accommodated without harming the parking spaces needed for the hospital's operation. Despite this recommendation, the Planning Committee decided to approve the application. The decision was made at committee level, and five conditions were attached to the approval.
The Planning Committee approved the application, permitting an increase in temporary camping pitches from 60 to 120 at Ballafletcher Sports Centre. This was despite the case officer recommending refusal, citing concerns that the increase in traffic and car parking demand could not be accommodated without adversely affecting parking needed for the operation of Nobles Hospital nearby.
does not have an unacceptable effect on road safety or traffic flows
The proposal is likely to result in a significant increase in traffic and need for car parking which cannot be accommodated
takes account of community and personal safety and security
The proposal is likely to result in a significant increase in traffic and need for car parking which cannot be accommodated
Tourism development
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.
Condition 1
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 2
There shall be no pitching of tents outside of the rugby pitch as defined on Drawing 1080-SL01, date-stamped as having been received 01.03.19.
Condition 3
Car parking and manoeuvring areas shall be provided and remain free from obstruction.
Condition 4
The maximum number of pitches to be available for use shall be restricted to 60 other than for TT 2019 where the maximum number of pitches shall be 120.
Condition 5
There shall be no vehicular access to the site other than via the hospital access road.
