13 August 2025 · Committee
Proposed Adventure Playground And Extension Of Public Open Space, Ballaughton Nurseries, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM2 1ab
Permission was granted to demolish an existing timber building at the Isle of Play adventure playground at Ballaughton Nurseries, Douglas, and replace it with a new single-storey building. The application also sought to extend the site's hours of operation. The site, known as Lester's Yard, sits to the south west of Ballaughton Nurseries and includes a mix of structures including an office, storage container, and covered picnic area. Parking is shared with the adjoining nurseries, which are managed by Douglas Borough Council. The planning committee considered the principle of the development, its visual impact, effects on amenities, and highway safety before approving the application on 13 August 2025, subject to four conditions.
The application was approved by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture on 13 August 2025. The key planning issues considered were the principle of the development, its visual impact, potential effects on public and private amenities, and highway safety. The proposal was found acceptable across these areas.
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
comply with the relevant planning policies of the IOMSP
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
New development, including individual buildings, should be designed so as to make a positive contribution to the environment of the Island.
considered relevant
Strategic Policy 5: New development, including individual buildings, should be designed so as to make a positive contribution to the environment of the Island. In appropriate cases the Department will require planning applications to be supported by a Design Statement which will be required to take account of the Strategic Aim and Policies. 4.4 Economy 4.4.1 The Spatial Strategy identifies the Major Employment Areas around the Island. While the majority of business and employment is focused around the Douglas Metropolitan Area, there are other major employment areas at Castletown, the Airport/Freeport, Peel, Ramsey and Jurby. The Department considers the distribution of employment areas provides a spread of employment opportunities around the Island. While recognising the opportunities for small scale local employment within existing centres it is considered new employment should, in the main, be concentrated within existing settlements or those major employment areas referred to in the Island Spatial Strategy and illustrated on the Key Diagram. Existing Local and new Area Plans will provide detailed boundar ies for these areas. From time to time Government may judge it appropriate to offer financial incentives to encourage economic activity or investment in particular parts of the Island.
The Department will require that in all new development, parking provision must be in accordance with the Department's current standards.
considered relevant
Transport Policy 7: The Department will require that in all new development, parking provision must be in accordance with the Department's current standards. The current standards are set out in Appendix 7. 11.5.4 New development can have a significant impact in terms of the traffic generated by it and the impact on the various modes of travel. The Department considers that proposals which are likely to be significant traffic generators should be accompanied by a Transport Assessment(1) which should look at all modes of transport including access by public transport, cycling and on foot.
Condition 1
- 1. The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice. Reason: To comply with Article 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.
Condition 2
- 2. 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. Reason: In the interests of the character and appearance of the site and surrounding area.
Condition 3
- 3. The adventure playground (site) and building hereby approved shall not operate outside the following times & days: - - Monday to Friday - 09:00hrs -1800hrs - - Saturday & Sunday - Closed Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and to accord with the details submitted with the application.
Condition 4
- 4. Prior to the commencement of any works details of open fronted nest boxes to be installed within the site shall be submitted in writing for approval by the Department and these approved details shall be installed prior to the occupation of the new building and retained thereafter. Reason: In the interest of biodiversity. This approval relates to the submitted documents and drawing all received on 27.06.2025 and 03.07.2025.
