Conversion of barn and erection of double garage extension to provide ancillary and tourist accommodation

Why Was This Approved?

• ✓No harmful impact on countryside character or landscape quality
• ✓No adverse effect on protected species or trees
• ✓No significant impact on private or public amenity
• ✓Tourist accommodation use consistent with Isle of Man visitor economy strategy
• ✓Decision made by Planning Committee

The proposal involves converting an existing barn and building a double garage extension at Farrants Fort, a rural property in Lezayre parish on the Isle of Man, to create accommodation for ancillary use and tourist visitors. The site sits in open countryside, so the key planning issues centred on landscape impact, effects on protected species and trees, and impacts on private and public amenity. The Planning Committee considered the works acceptable on all these counts, finding that the development would not harm the character or quality of the surrounding landscape, would have no adverse effect on protected species or trees, and would not significantly affect amenity. The proposal was also assessed against the Isle of Man's visitor economy strategy, reflecting the tourism accommodation element of the scheme.

The committee was satisfied that the barn conversion and garage extension would not damage the countryside or its landscape character, would not harm protected species or trees, and would not cause significant amenity impacts. The scheme was found to comply with relevant policies in the IOM Strategic Plan, the Residential Design Guide 2021, and the Isle of Man Visitor Economy Strategy 2022–2032.

Conditions (8)

1. 1

   Condition 1

   1. The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.

2. 2

   Condition 2

   2. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development) Order 2012 (or any Order revoking and/or re-enacting that Order with or without modification) no extension, enlargement or other alteration of the units(s) hereby approved, other than that expressly authorised by this approval, shall be carried out, without the prior written approval of the Department.

3. 3

   Condition 3

   3. No development shall commence until a schedule of materials and finishes and samples of the materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces, including roofs, have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. The development shall not be carried out unless in accordance with the approved details.

4. 4

   Condition 4

   4. The living accommodation within the two barns hereby approved shall only be used in association with the main dwelling house "Farrants Fort" and for purposes incidental to the use of main dwelling house "Farrants Fort" as a single dwelling and for tourist accommodation, but not as separate dwellings and only in accordance with the internal layout shown on drawing nr 24/13/04 REV A.

5. 5

   Condition 5

   5. Prior to any works commencing a bat and bird mitigation plan shall be submitted to the Department for approval which should include the number, location and type of bird and bat boxes/bricks/structures to be provided to the barns and/or within the site and these shall be installed prior to the occupation of the units and retained thereafter.

6. 6

   Condition 6

   6. No external lighting shall be installed within the site unless a detailed lighting scheme is submitted in writing for approval by the Department which demonstrates any such lighting would not have an adverse impact upon bats and such approved scheme shall be installed in accordance with the approved details and retained thereafter.

7. 7

   Condition 7

   7. The existing trees and hedges shall be retained in accordance with the approved details. Any retained tree or hedge which within five years of the approved development being occupied or completed (whichever is the later) dies, is removed or becomes seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced by a similar species, of a size to be first approved in writing by the Department, during the next planting season or in accordance with a programme of replacement to be agreed in writing with the Department.

8. 8

   Condition 8

   8. Prior to any works commencing a scheme for the protection of the retained trees (a tree protection plan) which shall be prepared in accordance with the recommendations of British Standard BS5837:2012 shall be submitted and approved in writing by the Department and shall be fully adhere to.

Documents (30 · 3 superseded)