13 August 2025 · Committee
Corlett Building Materials Ltd, Ballaharra Quarry, Ballaharra, St. Johns, Isle Of Man, IM4 3rb
Permission was granted to Corlett Building Materials Ltd to extend the existing sand and gravel quarry at Ballaharra Quarry, Peel Road, St Johns. The proposal covers the extraction and on-site processing of sand and gravel, followed by restoration of the land to natural habitat. The site sits in open countryside approximately 2 km east of Peel, surrounded by grassland pasture, scrub, and hedgerow boundaries, with adjacent pasture fields and derelict farm buildings nearby. The officer report identified the principle of mineral extraction, visual impact, and effects on ecology and biodiversity as the main issues to consider. The committee concluded that the development was acceptable in terms of its visual impact on the rural setting and its effect on nearby residential properties, and that it accorded with the relevant planning policies covering minerals, environment, business, and transport.
The committee approved the application, finding that the quarry extension would not cause visual harm to the rural character of the area or adversely affect nearby residential properties. The proposal was considered to meet the relevant planning policies on mineral extraction, environmental protection, and transport. The formal decision record lists 9 conditions.
Spatial Policy 5
New development will be located within the defined settlements. Development will only be permitted in the countryside in accordance with General Policy 3.
General Policy 3 e) and g)
General Policy 3: Development will not be permitted outside of those areas which are zoned for development on the appropriate Area Plan with the exception of: (a) essential housing for agricultural workers who have to live close to their place of work; (Housing Policies 7, 8, 9 and 10); (b) conversion of redundant rural buildings which are of architectural, historic, or social value and interest; (Housing Policy 11); (c) previously developed land (1) which contains a significant amount of building; where the continued use is redundant; where redevelopment would reduce the impact of the current situation on the landscape or the wider environment; and where the development proposed would result in improvements to the landscape or wider environment; (d) the replacement of existing rural dwellings; (Housing Policies 12, 13 and 14); (e) location-dependent development in connection with the working of minerals or the provision of necessary services; (f) building and engineering operations which are essential for the conduct of agriculture or forestry; (g) development recognised to be of overriding national need in land use planning terms and for which there is no reasonable and acceptable alternative; and (h) buildings or works required for interpretation of the countryside, its wildlife or heritage. 6.4 Planning Agreements 6.4.1 Where development is acceptable and in accordance with the provisions of this Plan and the relevant Area Plan, but raises issues which cannot be addressed by the imposition of planning conditions, the Department will seek to conclude an Agreement with the developer under Section 13 of the 1999 Town and Country Planning Act.
Minerals Policy 1
Environment Policy 1
The countryside and its ecology will be protected for its own sake.
Environment Policy 1: 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 o utweighs the requirement to protect these areas and for which there is no reasonable and acceptable alternative. 7.6 Landscape Assessment and Classification 7.6.1 The present system of landscape classification remains relevant and important. However, a review of the current landscape classification system is underway in the form of an Island wide landscape and coastal quality assessment. This will identify different categories of landscape and coastal importance in order for development to be managed effectively in these areas and appropriate protection policies to be formulated. This exercise will investigate the appropriateness of designating a 'coastal planning zone' which would extend both seaward and landward of the coastline depending on the ext ent of the mean low water mark in the case of the former and the extent of direct maritime -influenced and coast - related activities in the case of the latter. The landscape assessment will also include management guidelines with respect to development not only in the designated areas but in the wider countryside as well.
Environment Policy 4
Environment Policy 4: Development will not be permitted which would adversely affect: (a) species and habitats of international importance: (i) protected species of international importance or their habitats; or (ii) proposed or designated Ramsar and Emerald Sites or other internationally important sites. (b) species and habitats of national importance: (i) protected species of national importance or their habitats; (1) Wildlife Sites are defined in Appendix 1 (ii) proposed or designated National Nature Reserves, or Areas of Special Scientific Interest; or (iii) Marine Nature Reserves; or (iv) National Trust Land. (c) species and habitats of local importance such as Wildlife Sites, local nature reserves, priority habitats or species identified in any Manx Biodiversity Action Plan which do not already benefit from statutory protection, Areas of Special Protection and Bird Sanctuaries and landscape features of importance to wild flora and fauna by reason of their continuous nature or function as a corridor between habitats. Some areas to which this policy appli es are identified as Areas of Ecological Importance or Interest on extant Local or Area Plans, but others, whose importance was not evident at the time of the adoption of the relevant Local or Area Plan, are not, particularly where that plan has been in pl ace for many years. In these circumstances, the Department will seek site specific advice from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry if development proposals are brought forward.
Environment Policy 5
Environment Policy 5: In exceptional circumstances wh ere development is allowed which could adversely affect a site recognised under Environmental Policy 4, conditions will be imposed and/or Planning Agreements sought to: (a) minimise disturbance; (b) conserve and manage its ecological interest as far as possible; and (c) where damage is unavoidable, provide new or replacement habitats so that the loss to the total ecological resource is mitigated. 7.8.7 In addition to existing, specific areas of the Island designated as being important areas for landscape value, nature conservation and ecological habitats, there are also wider areas which are increasingly being recognised as having combined importance in terms of ecological, archaeological, landscape and / or scientific value. These areas should be fully investigated to assess the extent of these qualities and, where appropriate, their potential for a new designation in the form of 'National Heritage Areas'. This should be in addition to any other designation afforded to them under existing legislation or any new landscape assessment exercise.
Environment Policy 22
Environment Policy 22: Development will not be permitted where it would unacceptably harm the environment and/or the amenity of nearby properties in terms of: i) pollution of sea, surface water or groundwater; ii) emissions of airborne pollutants; and iii) vibration, odour, noise or light pollution. 7.17.2 In addition to the above, changes in the activities associated with the current permitted use of land or a building, which in themselves do not constitute development and therefore do not require planning permission, can have an adverse impact on adjacent properties by virtue of noise, light or general disturbance. For example the addition of security lig hting on a property may cause light pollution affecting adjacent properties and the wider area. The introduction of new activities into established parks and recreation areas can have an impact on neighbours. In such cases the Department would advocate t he person or organisation considering the change to give careful consideration to the potential impact of such activity in terms of location, siting and design.
Environment Policy 23
When considering alterations and improvements to existing facilities the Department will require that consideration be given to the potential adverse impact of the proposed changes to existing neighbours.
Environment Policy 23: When considering alterations and improvements to existing facilities the Department will require that consideration be given to the potential adverse impact of the proposed changes to existing neighbours. 7.18 Environmental Impact Assessment(1) 7.18.1 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an important procedure for ensuring that the likely effects of new development on the environment are fully understood and taken into account before the development is allowed to go ahead. It is a process by which information about the likely environmental effects of certain types of development is collected, assessed and taken into account by the developer (as part of project design) and by the planning authority (in determining the acceptability of the application). In cases w here developments are likely to have significant environmental effects, whether public or private, by virtue of their nature, size or location, EIA's will be required and the general principles set out in Appendix 5 should be followed. 7.18.2 For some types of development, EIA's will be required in every case, whilst other development will only require an EIA if the particular project is judged likely to give rise to significant environmental effects. Where development does not fall wit hin these categories, (1) Environmental Impact Assessment is defined in Appendix 1 but still has a significant effect on the environment, the Department will require suitable supporting environmental information. The main criteria for judging significance are as follows: i. major developments which are of more than local importance; ii. developments which are proposed in particularly environmentally sensitive or vulnerable locations; iii. developments with unusually complex and potentially hazardous environmental effects. 7.18.3 A Planning Policy Statement will be issue d specifying the manner in which the Department intends to deal with applications which should be subject to EIA. Pending the adoption of the proposed Planning Policy Statement the Department will adopt current practice on EIA's from England and Wales set out in the publication "Environmental Impact Assessment: A Guide to Procedures" (1).
Business Policy 1
The growth of employment opportunities throughout the Island will be encouraged provided that development proposals accord with the policies of this Plan.
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Transport Policy 4
Transport Policy 4: The new and existing highways which serve any n ew development must be designed so as to be capable of accommodating the vehicle and pedestrian journeys generated by that development in a safe and appropriate manner, and in accordance with the environmental objectives of this plan. 11.3.2 Notwithstanding policies within this plan which encourage travel by means other than private car it is anticipated that the number of vehicles using the Island's roads will continue to increase. This increase in demand is likely to lead to a greater need for road impro vements in order that travel can take place in a safe, effective, and environmentally acceptable manner. The Department of Transport will continue to assess the need for such improvements to public highways and undertake works where appropriate, with much of the improvement within existing roads carried out under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development) Order2005. The need for improvements to the Island's highway network must be balanced against the environmental objectives of this plan.
Transport Policy 7
The Department will require that in all new development, parking provision must be in accordance with the Department's current standards.
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
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Condition 2
From the date that development is begun for the purposes of condition 1 above, the winning and working of sand and gravel and all operations and uses of land authorised by this permission (save for any restoration and aftercare pursuant to conditions 5 and 7) shall cease not later than 60 years from the date of the implementation of this permission or extraction of phases 1 and 2 have been finished as per Chapter 1 paragraph 2.8 of the EIAR whichever is the sooner. After which the site shall be restored and the aftercare period concluded in its entirety in accordance with the approved detailed restoration and aftercare schemes as required by conditions 5 and 7. In the event that the projected extract-rate would not allow for the contours shown on Drwg PL07 to be achieved on or before 60 years from the date of this permission, the details to be submitted shall also include an alternative restoration scheme, or an alternative method for achieving the contours shown on said plan together with a timetable for implementation
Condition 3
No works shall commence on either Phase 1 or Phase 2 of the development, hereby permitted, until fencing around the root protection areas of boundary vegetation to be retained along the northern boundary shown around phase 1 as shown on the Landscaping and Restoration Plan (Drawing PL07 Rev 1); and, in the SLR Ballaharra Quarry Extension: Landscape, Restoration and Aftercare Management Plan (Revision 01) - dated June 2025, has been erected. Thereafter, such fencing must be retained in place for the lifetime of the development for each of the respective phases. Any trees or plants which within a period of 5 years from the completion of the development die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species.
Condition 4
On commencement of the development (at the start of the extraction phase) or in the next planting season whichever is the sooner the native hedge along phase 2 All planting seeding and turfing shall be carried out in accordance with the details outlined on Drawing No. PL07 Rev 1; and, in the SLR Ballaharra Quarry Extension: Landscape, Restoration and Aftercare Management Plan (Revision 01) - dated June 2025. Any trees or plants which within a period of
Condition 5
Within 3 months of completion of all the extraction works as set down in condition 2, All works of restoration shall be undertaken as outlined on the approved SLR Landscaping and Restoration Plan Drawing (Drawing PL07 Rev 1); and, in the SLR Ballaharra Quarry Extension: Landscape, Restoration and Aftercare Management Plan (Revision 01) - dated June 2025. Any areas that the natural regeneration has already commenced when the extraction activities are still ongoing (as is already the case in some areas on the existing quarry floor), shall be left undisturbed and incorporated into the final restoration scheme.
Condition 6
The development, hereby permitted, shall be subject to the existing hours of operation covering extraction and processing operations within the quarry, namely: - 07.30 to 17.00 hrs. Monday to Friday; and, 07.30 to 12.30 hrs. Saturday. The quarry shall not operate on Sundays or Bank Holidays, except in emergency situations.
Condition 7
All topsoil and overburden removed (if any arising) on a phased basis as part of the quarry extension development shall be retained and stored on the site and shall be utilised in the restoration of the quarry as areas become available as outlined on the approved SLR Landscaping and Restoration Plan Drawing (Drawing PL07), and in the final quarry restoration.
Condition 8
No external lighting, other than security lighting, shall be installed on the site other than in accordance with details that have previously been submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. All works must then be undertaken in full accordance with the approved scheme.
Condition 9
Within 3 months of cessation of development, the site shall be made safe and secure to prevent public access to hazardous areas, including fencing or signage as necessary.