20 May 2025 · Delegated
Ballachrink, Glen Road, Colby, Isle Of Man, IM9 4hw
This application sought permission to renovate and extend an existing cottage at Ballachrink Farm, Glen Road, Colby on the Isle of Man. The proposal involved a combination of extension and alteration works to the existing building. The application was refused on 20 May 2025 under delegated authority. Three formal reasons were given: the applicant provided no evidence that the cottage's structure could withstand the proposed works; the extensions were considered to envelope the original cottage to a degree that harmed its character and failed to remain subordinate in form and proportion; and the overall level of alteration would create an unacceptable visual impact on public views from the footpath passing the site. The officer report also noted that there was no evidence of the cottage being currently lived in. The officer recommended refusal, which matched the final decision.
The application was refused for three main reasons. First, no evidence was provided that the existing cottage structure could withstand the proposed works. Second, the scale and extent of the extensions would envelope the original cottage, harming its character and failing to remain subordinate to the host building. Third, the overall level of alteration would have an adverse visual impact on public views from the footpath passing the site.
Refusal Reasons
Criteria for the conversion of a rural building into a new dwelling
fail Housing Policy 11 (b)
Housing Policy 11: Conversion of existing rural buildings into dwellings may be permitted, but only where: (a) redundancy for the original use can be established; (b) the building is substantially intact and structurally capable of renovation; (c) the building is of architectural, historic, or social interest; (d) the building is large enough to form a satisfactory dwelling, either as it stands or with modest, subordinate extension which does not affect adversely the character or interest of the building; (e) residential use would not be incompatible with adjoining established uses or, where appropriate, land-use zonings on the area plan; and (f) the building is or can be provided with satisfactory services without unreasonable public expenditure. Such conversion must: (a) where practicable and desirable, re -establish the original appearance of the building; and (b) use the same materials as those in the existing building. Permission will not be given for the rebuilding of ruins or the erection of replacement buildings of similar, or even identical, form. Further extension of converted rural buildings will not usually be permitted, since this would lead to loss or reduction of the original interest and character. 8.10.3 Permission will be given in certain circumstances for the re-establishment of residential use where there is an abandoned dwelling, since such dwellings can sometimes have a negative impact, usually arising from the sense of dereliction and dilapidation. See Housing Policy 13 below. 8.11 Replacement Dwellings in the Countryside 8.11.1 There are in our countryside many existing dwellings, some of which contribute positively to its appearance and character, and some of which do not. A number of dwellings have been abandoned for many years; their physical remains being a reflection of agricultural and social change across the Island. They form features in the rural landscape which are often not unacceptable in their present state. It is appropriate to encourage change which would result in overall environment improvement, and to discourage change which would not. Where the building(s) concerned are of architectural merit or of local, historical or social interest demolition and replacement will be discouraged.
dwellings which have lost habitable status redevelopment criteria
Housing Policy 13: In the case of those rural dwellings which have lost their former residential use by abandonment, consideration will be given in the following circumstances to the formation of a dwelling by use of the remaining fabric and the addition of new fabric to replace that which has been lost. Where: a) the building is substantially intact; this will involve there being at least three of the walls, standing up to eaves level and structurally capable of being retained; and b) there is an existing, usable track from the highway; and where c) a supply of fresh potable water and of electricity can be made available from existing services within the highway. (1) Habitable Status is defined in Appendix 1 (2) Non residential use is defined in Appendix 1 This policy will not apply in National Heritage Areas (see Environment Policy 6). Permission will not be given for the use of buildings more ruinous than those in (a) above, or for the erection of replacement bu ildings. Extensions of dwellings formed in accordance with the above may be permitted if the extension is clearly subordinate to the original building (i.e. in terms of floor space(3) measured externally, the extension measures less than 50% of that of the original). 8.11.2 It is important that replacement dwellings should relate closely to the buildings they replace in terms of siting and size, that the resulting visual impact is appropriate for the countryside, and that existing stone and slate are re-used.
extensions to existing traditionally styled dwellings
fail to respect the form and proportion of the host cottage contrary to Housing Policies 11, 13 and 15
Housing Policy 15: The extension or alteration of existing traditionally styled properties in the countryside will normally only be approved where these respect the proportion, form and appearance of the existing property. Only exceptionally will permission be granted for extensions which measure more than 50% of the existing building in terms of floor space (measured externally).
General standards towards acceptable development
contrary to General Policy b, c, and g
ned, well managed with a good walking surface, within or close to towns and villages. Types of community, educational and health facilities vary considerably from community centres, schools and GP surgeries to police, fire and ambulance services. They form an essential network of support and are basic requirements for the underpinning of sustainable communities. Without basic services, communities tend to lack a sense of belonging and places tend to be little more than groups or estates of housing. Many of the schools in the East contribute towards indoor and outdoor sports provision and halls can be multi-purpose out of school hours. This need for a possible new school has been recognised in Baldrine and it is recognised that there may in the future need to be additional provision to serve additional development in the future on the edge of Douglas and Onchan. Development Brief DBH002g recognises a need to take account of need for a replacement Braddan School. For this reason, Strategic Reserve Sites will need to take both education and community facilities into account before release. Assessment of current open space and community facilities Table 15 sets out the key facilities in each Local Authority Area. The table illustrates the tendency for smaller settlements to have lower levels of community facilities and formal sports provision. It also highlights on a basic level deficits in existing provision helping give focus to where additional investment may need to be focused. Open Space and Community facilities - existing provision Type of land / amenity Douglas Laxey Onchan Braddan Marown Santon Lonan Amenity Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Places of Worship Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Burial Land Y N Y Y Y Y Y Child Care Y Y Y Y Y Y N Children's Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Outdoor Pitches Y Y Y Y Y N N Post Offices Y Y Y Y N N N Doctors and Dentists Y Y Y Y N N N Schools Y Y Y Y Y N N Skate Park/BMX Y Y N Y Y N N Allotments Y Y N N N Y Y* Golf Course Y N Y N N Y N Shooting Ranges N Y N Y N Y N Youth Club Y Y Y N N N N Sailing Y Y N Y N N N Equestrian Centres N N Y Y Y Y N Nursing Homes Y Y N N N N N Motorsport Y N N N N Y N Indoor Sports Facilities Y N Y N N N N *Laxey and Lonan allotment association within the boundary of Laxey Outdoor Recreation and Amenity Space The Community Audit records detailed information on recreation and amenity space. From this it is possible to analyse the data to determine if current provision is at an appropriate level given the population in the East. In order to create a benchmark against which the current provision can be assessed, the 'target' requirements for new residential developments are used. The Strategic Plan sets out minimum recreation open space standards per 1,000 head of population for new residential developments of 10 dwellings or more. These are as follows: Sports pitches 1.8 hectares/ 1,000 population Childrens' play space 0.6 hectares/ 1,000 population Amenity space 0.8 hectares/1,000 population Table 16 combines the separate Local Authority/Parish figures for the three categories of open space to give an overall figure for the East. For a comparison, figures have been benchmarked against the provisions required in the Strategic Plan 2016 to put the figures into context. Open Space and Recreation in the East - summary figures Douglas Braddan Onchan Laxey Lonan Marown Santon Isle of Man (East) Strategic Plan Target Difference Amenity 0.80 3.98 2.37 1.07 9.18 0.67 9.29 1.78 +0.98 Children's 0.03 0.06 0.17 0.07 0.06 0.05 0.07 0.06 -0.54 Outdoor Pitches 0.84 0.55 0.05 0.89 0.00 0.51 0.00 0.61 -1.19 Overall Supply 1.67 4.59 2.59 2.03 9.24 0.94 9.36 2.39 -0.75 The Table above showing open space and recreation figures demonstrate some deficits in provision across the local authority areas and highlights where new provision may need to be provided as part of future development schemes. For example, it shows that the East of the Island has a generally high level of amenity space but has a lower level of sports pitch provision. It is important to note that access to any kind of amenity space crosses Local Authority boundaries and residents living in one area may be regular users of amenities such as open space in neighbouring areas. In addition, these figures do not account for the differing demographics of each area and the population within distinct age groups has not been considered. Table 11 does not assess the usage of facilities or current sporting trends or outdoor pursuits that do not require sports pitches. Isle of Man Sport is conducting their own Island wide study as to existing sports provision and usage. Open Space and Community Proposal 1 Areas for residential growth identified in this Plan must take account of the needs for neighbourhood centres which will protect sufficient space for community health services and other social facilities. These could be provided within existing development, identified sites or on Strategic Reserve
Approval in principle for the redevelopment of redundant farm buildings into 6 residential units (including two for tourist accommodation)
materially relevant
Reserved Matters application for the redevelopment of redundant farm buildings into six residential units (including two for tourist accommodation)
materially relevant