Erection of agricultural shed

seek to protect the countryside for its own sake and from harmful and unwarranted development

contrary to Environment Policy 1

Area Plan for the East sets out locally-applicable means for implementing the policies set out in the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016. In that Strategic Plan, we find the Environment Policies. Environment Policy 1 states: The countryside and its ecology will be protected for its own sake. For the purposes of this policy, the countryside comprises all land which is outside the settlements defined in Appendix 3 at A.3.6 or which is not designated for future development on an Area Plan. Development which would adversely affect the countryside will not be permitted unless there is an over- riding national need in land use planning terms which outweighs the requirement to protect these areas and for which there is no reasonable and acceptable alternative. Maintaining the purpose of this Area Plan as a means of implementation, there is some further direction to be found in the Strategic Plan, at paragraph 7.2.1: 'Whilst landscape and coastal change is inevitable, and in some cases desirable, the emphasis must be on the appropriateness of this change and the balance or equity between the needs of conservation and those of development. The primary goal must therefore be to respect, maintain and enhance the natural and cultural environment including nature conservation and landscape and coastal quality, and ensure its protection from inappropriate development.' Given the comprehensive nature of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan's Environmental Policies, only a small number of additional Proposals and Recommendations are necessary. In order to produce an implementable Area Plan for the East it is necessary to recognise those statutory desig nations and strategies which whilst having an Island-wide scope are highly relevant to the protection of environments within the Plan Area. An example is the UNESCO Biosphere status afforded to the Isle of Man. Island-level strategies identify crossborder issues and take account of the cumulative impacts of human engagement with nature. Area Plan Objectives i. To protect, conserve and enhance the natural and cultural environment of the plan area and promote biodiversity. ii. To improve the function, usability and provision of our green infrastructure and public spaces by providing a network of green spaces and features which are connected and where possible, accessible to the public. iii. To manage and improve flood risk and improve drainage conditions. iv. To support the working countryside and its custodians in maintaini ng a sustainable rural economy. Area Plan Desired Outcomes i. Where approved, d evelopment will be ecologically sustainable and designed to protect and where possible enhance biodiversity as well as mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. ii. The Green Infrastructure network will be established and fostered, connecting people with nature in a way that achieves the best shared outcomes for the urban and natural environment. iii. Statutory and non-statutory designations will continue to provide protection to the most important and most vulnerable cultural assets, habitats and environments in the plan area. iv. Beyond the towns and villages, the area as a whole will retain its landscape setting including its important visual interaction with the central uplands, central valley, coast and marine environment. Natural Environment Proposal 1 The Department supports the protection, creation and improvement of green infrastructure in the East, particularly in those locations which have the potential to be part of a Green Infrastructure Network. Applications for development must take into account any approved Government Green Infrastructure Strategies, but in any case, must identify how development proposals intend to contribute to the long term provision of a network of connected green spaces. UNESCO Biosphere In 2017, the Isle of Man became the first ever entire nation to achieve UNESCO Biosphere status. Project partners pledge to take steps to protect natural resources, develop the economy in a sustainable way and promote outstanding living landscapes. UNESCO Biosphere Reserves are established to connect people and the economy with nature, wildlife, culture, heritage and communities. Biosphere Reserves have three functions: Conservation: to contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation. Development: to foster economic and human development which is socio -culturally and ecologically sustainable. Logistic support: to support demonstration projects, environmental education and training, research and monitoring related to local, regional, national and global issues of conservation and sustainable development. The Isle of Man Biosphere is zoned into six areas . Examples of all of these can be found in the Eastern area: Terrestrial Core areas, Marine Core areas, Terrestrial Buffer zone, Marine Buffer zone, Terrestrial Transition areas and Marine Transition areas. There is some overlap with The Isle of Man's First Biodiversity Strategy 2015-20

outlines the general design criteria for agricultural buildings being positioned as close to existing buildings as possible and being of appropriate scale and sympathetic to the landscape

Environment Policy 15: Where the Department is satisfied that there is agricultural or horticultural need for a new building (including a dwelling), sufficient to outweigh the general policy against development in the countryside, and that the impact of this developme nt including buildings, accesses, servicing etc. is acceptable, such development must be sited as close as is practically possible to existing building groups and be appropriate in terms of scale, materials, colour, siting and form to ensure that all new d evelopments are sympathetic to the landscape and built environment of which they will form a part. Only in exceptional circumstances will buildings be permitted in exposed or isolated areas or close to public highways and in all such cases will be subject to appropriate landscaping. The nature and materials of construction must also be appropriate to t he purposes for which it is intended. Where new agricultural buildings are proposed next to or close to existing residential properties, care must be taken to ensure that there is no unacceptable adverse impact through any activity, although it must be b orne in mind that many farming activities require buildings which are best sited, in landscape terms, close to existing building groups in the rural landscape.

general standards towards acceptable development

relevant to consider

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

seeks to protect public footpaths and their retention

Recreation Policy 5: Area Plans will identify areas where improvements to informal access to the countryside can be made and to the public footpath network. Existing public rights of way should be retained and any development which affects these will be permitted only if it p rovides diversions which are no less direct or attractive than existing routes. 10.4 General Leisure 10.4.1 In 2003 the Department of Tourism and Leisure approved a General Leisure Strategy for the Island. It includes sections on:  Leisure and Tourism  The Manx Countryside  Seascape and Coastline  National Leisure Facilities  Local Leisure Facilities  Children and Young People  Entertainment and Nightlife  Access and Opportunities  Funding for Leisure 10.4.2 Each section includes policy statement or statement s and an agenda for action. The policy statement generally accords with the Strategic Objections and Policies of the Strategic Plan. The agenda for action points relate to a number of Government Departments, local authorities and other agencies. Agenda for Action 3.1 suggest that the Department of Local Government and the Environment should designate suitably located land in the Island Strategic Plan for future leisure development. The Department is fully supportive of the policies in the General Leisur e Strategy but the Strategic Plan is not the appropriate vehicle for such a suggestion. The Department will however continue to consult with the Department of Tourism and Leisure in the preparation of Area Plans to establish whether there are appropriate sites for proposals for the provision of additional leisure facilities which accords with the policy framework of the Strategic Plan and the General Leisure Strategy. 10.5 Civic and Community Facilities 10.5.1 Community facilities are those services or facilities that provide for the needs of the Island population. As such, they should be appropriate to the needs of the Island's population and be located as to be easily accessible. Community facilities include community centres, medical facilities, plac es of worship, schools, nurseries, library services and premises which provide an element of care for those sectors of the community that are in need of this. 10.5.2 It is not for the Strategic Plan to address or determine the needs for community facilities, but to address the land use issues arising from such proposals. Where there are known site requirements these will be safeguarded in the relevant Area Plans for that area. Proposals for such uses will therefore be assessed against general criteria based policies. 10.5.3 It is one of Government's general policies to promote equity and equality of access to education, health, community and recreation facilities, services and the wider environment for all sectors of the community. 10.6 Neighbourhood Centres 10.6.1 The provision within residential areas of small shops, often combined with sub -post offices and off -licence facilities, occupies an important place in the range of shopping facilities available. Many people are dependent on such shops, these being the only shops to which access can be gained easily on foot, without relying on public or private transport. In addition, such a facility may not only be considered a desirable service, but may also serve as a focus of community life and help sustain a small community. 10.6.2 Local shopping/neighbourhood centres, typically described as local centres, usually comprise a newsagent, a general grocery store, a sub -post office and occasionally a pharmacy, a hairdresser and other small shops of a loc al nature. Allied to this may also be a community centre/meeting place to serve the immediate local community. With the increased focus on recycling, local centres are ideal sites for local recycling facilities. 10.6.3 In requesting community facilities within new and expanding developments, account needs to be taken of the size, type and particular needs of the new resident population. However, account must also be taken of availability and proximity of existing community facilities. Community benefit in this context is defined as one or more of the following: sub post - office/general store, doctor's surgery and community meeting centres. 10.6.4 The following policy is therefore adopted to ensure the provision of appropriate facilities within new residential developments.