21 June 2013 · Committee
Field 134801, Clenagh Road, Sandygate, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM7 3ae
Permission was granted for the creation of a horticultural nursery at Field 134801, Clenagh Road, Sandygate, Ramsey, Isle of Man. The proposal included alterations to the access, the installation of polytunnels, storage buildings, and associated works, with part of the development being retrospective in nature. The main planning consideration was the potential impact on residential amenity. The officer's report noted that the site is surrounded by significant natural screening through trees and hedging, which acts as a good visual barrier both close to and further from the site. The nearest residential property is approximately 175 metres away. The application was approved by the Department of Infrastructure on 21 June 2013, subject to compliance with seven conditions.
The Department of Infrastructure approved the application, subject to seven conditions. The officer's report identified impact on residential amenity as the key issue but concluded this was acceptable given the substantial natural screening of trees and hedging surrounding the site and the considerable distance of approximately 175 metres from the nearest residential property.
Retailing from farms, market gardens and nurseries
Environment Policy 18: Retailing from farms, market gardens and nurseries (excepting ancillary sales of produce grown thereon) will be subject to the Department's general retail policies. 7.15 Equestrian Pursuits 7.15.1 Equestrian activities are becoming increasingly popular in rural areas and on the fringes of our towns and villages. These activities can generally take place only on open, rural land, and often represent a useful way of diversifying traditional farming. The use of land as grazing land falls within t he definition of agriculture (section 45 of the 1999 Town and Country Planning Act), and does not therefore involve development, but the keeping of horses and the operation of equestrian activities generally do involve development and may have an adverse impact on the appearance and character of the countryside. Sensitive siting and high standards of design, construction, and maintenance are necessary to ensure that there are no such adverse impacts. Whilst horses should be well housed, it will seldom be appropriate to use cavity-wall construction for stables, since such buildings may too easily be adapted for residential uses, so thwarting other policies of this Plan. Where new buildings are necessary, they should be sited close to existing building grou ps, and designed not only to blend with their surroundings but also to suit their specific purpose.
Condition 1
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Condition 2
The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out except in full accordance with drawing no.s 418-04, 418.06, 418.07, 418.11 and 418.13 date stamped the 21st December 2012 and the two drawings (1:500 and 1:1250) showing visibility splays from the application site onto Clenagh Road date stamped the 22nd February 2013.
Condition 3
Within three months of the date of this planning approval a management plan for the management of the ecology of the wild areas within the application site must be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Planning Authority. Thereafter the management of those areas must be undertaken in accordance with the agreed management plan.
Condition 4
Within three months of the date of this planning approval a list of plant species to be planted within the application site must be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Planning Authority. No species other than those on the agreed list may be planted within the application site. Any future changes or additions to this list must be agreed in writing with the Planning Authority prior to the planting of any new species.
Condition 5
No development shall occur within nor shall there be any use of the land defined as existing wild areas (hatched) on drawing no. 418.06 date stamped the 21st December 2012.
Condition 6
The nursery shall be open to customers only whilst all land within the visibility splays shown within the two drawings (1:500 and 1:1250) showing visibility from the application site onto Clenagh Road date stamped the 22nd February 2013 is kept free from development or obstruction and maintained as such to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority so as to allow unobstructed views for vehicles exiting the application site onto Clenagh Road.
Condition 7
Within three months of the date of this planning approval a scheme detailing how the application site will be left in the event of the horticultural nursery closing must be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Planning Authority. Thereafter, in the event of the horticultural nursery closing the agreed scheme shall be duly implemented.
