29 April 2025 · Committee
Isle Of Man Education, Ballasalla School, Douglas Road, Ballasalla, Isle Of Man, IM9 2la
The proposal involves placing a new double mobile classroom with toilet facilities at Ballasalla School, Douglas Road, Ballasalla. The unit is located approximately 80 metres from a previously approved mobile classroom position (24/00555/B) and would be used as a breakout and support space for pupils who need quieter environments away from the main classroom. The school sits within a wider campus setting, and the unit is modest in scale relative to the main school building. It would be partially screened from Douglas Road by existing boundary fencing and trees, with only glimpsing views from the highway. The officer assessed that the unit would not harm the visual amenity of the area, would not cause overlooking or loss of privacy to nearby residents given its detached position, and would have no material impact on highway safety — a view confirmed by Highways Services and Malew Parish Commissioners, neither of whom objected. While the committee acknowledged that mobile classrooms are not the ideal solution and that more permanent provision should be sought, the need to meet school intake requirements was considered sufficient justification on balance.
The Planning Committee approved the application because the mobile classrooms are needed to meet the school's intake requirements and would serve as a pupil support space. The unit is modest in scale, partially screened from the road, and would not harm visual amenity, residential privacy, or highway safety. Although mobile classrooms are not the preferred approach, the committee judged the proposal acceptable on balance against the relevant policies of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan (2016).
Community Policy 2
Transport Policy 4
Parishes which are examined in more detail later in the document. A key factor in the formulation of the Spatial Vision has been consideration of the findin gs of the Landscape Character Assessment4; an Island-wide Study undertaken in 2008.
Transport Policy 7
Priority for new development to identified towns and villages
Strategic Policy 2: New development will be located primarily within our existing towns and villages, or, where appropriate, in sustainable urban extensions(2) of these towns and villages. Development will be permitted in the countryside only in the exceptional circumstances identified in paragraph 6.3. (1) Open Space is defined in Appendix 1. (2) Sustainable Urban Extensions are defined in Appendix 1 4.3.2 Appendix 3 to the Plan identifies the towns and villages, and also explains why the Department has rejected the idea of a new settlement, which was mooted in the Consultation Draft published in May 2000. 4.3.3 Each of our towns and villages has an ind ividual character arising not only from its geographical position and existing fabric, but also from its historical, cultural, and social background. This character should be protected and enhanced. Accordingly:
Design and visual impact
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.
Ballasalla is a named service village
ointment of a development partner for the site. Through their planning and development management functions the Government should encourage and facilitate redevelopment of the site. Long Term SS3 Large scale units and new access created through demolition of selected strand street units (nos. 53-75) and development of new car park on the Market Street site. This long term development project will require acquisition of a number of privately owned retail units to assemble the development site. The project will very likely require use of the Government's CPO powers. As such, the project will bear significant costs for the Government, albeit that these costs should be recovered in time through the sale of the site for retail development and car parking. SS4 New Connection between St Georges & Strand Street, including demolition of Victory House. This is another long term development which is unlikely to proceed until Victory house reaches economic obsolescence (i.e. where the value of the redevelopment of the site is greater than the existing use value). Future redevelopment of Victory House offers potential to provide a new connection between St Georges and Strand Street, which should be a long term objective. The Government should use its planning and development management functions to encourage and protect this objective. Central Douglas Masterplan Site Summary of Proposal Responsibility / Role Quayside Short Term QS1 Infill at the Lord Street site / North Quay, focusing on leisure development. This surface car park site is owned by the Isle of Man Government. There is existing developer interest in acquiring the site for leisure led mixed use development. Such development accords with the objectives of this masterplan and the Government should commence marketing the site. It is recommended that the site is sold subject to a development agreement to ensure that the Government's objectives for the site are realised and that the selected developer meets a pre-agreed development programme. QS2 Support town centre circuit connecting through Wintergarden to new capital town space. A significant new amenity space should be provided on the Quayside and this is likely to be delivered in tandem with the delivery of QS1. The nature and extent of the space should be controlled through the development agreement associated with the selection of a developer for QS1. QS3 Promotion of further leisure (restaurant & bars) to create cluster. The Quayside properties are outside the Government's ownership. Reordering of this area for food and drink clustering will require joint working with landlords to promote the area generally and vacant properties in particular to these operators. Medium Term QS4 Evolution from light industrial uses to residential, with relocation of existing uses. The South Quay includes a diverse mix of employment uses, some of which appear suited to this high value location and other less so. A number of these sites have been optioned by developers and medium - long term development opportunities. Relocation of the existing industrial and trade counter uses will be necessary to facilitate higher Central Douglas Masterplan Site Summary of Proposal Responsibility / Role value residential and office developments. The Government should encourage and facilitate the relocation of the existing industrial uses and redevelopment of the site using its planning and development functions. In the first instance it will be necessary to identify a suitable site (or sites) for relocation. The Fort Short Term TF1 Leisure led uses, including hotel, cinema and winder garden with gallery space, retail and residential opportunities This surface car park site is owned by the Isle of Man Government. There is existing developer interest in acquiring the site for a leisure led mixed use development. Such development accords with the objectives of this masterplan and the Government should commence marketing the site. It is recommended that the site is sold subject to a development agreement to ensure that the Government's objectives for the site are realised and that the selected developer meets a pre-agreed development programme. TF2 Potential for marshalling yard extension and multistorey car park for The Fort development The marshalling yard is owned by the Steam Packet Company. The Government should work with the Steam Packet Company to explore and agree objectives and strategy for the redevelopment of the marshalling yard. In the first instance the Government should engage with the Steam Packet Company to understand their objectives and potential appetite to develop. If the Steam Packet Company shares cannot find common ground with the Government, the two parties could work together to procure a single development partner for the marshalling yard and neighbouring Lord Street site (QS1/TF1). Through their planning and development management functions the Government should encourage and facilitate the redevel
General Policy 2
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
