Senior Planning Officer Site Visit Report

Proposed Pumping Station At Glen Mooar For The Isle Of Man Water And Sewerage Authority ### Site description 1. The site is part of an area which lies on the landward, eastern side of the A4 coast road between Kirk Michael and Knocksharry. The site lies just to the south of Glen Mooar itself and to the south of the minor road which links Barregarrow to the coast road. The site is higher than the road but in a slight depression within the generally rising land form. 2. The area has been disturbed through the introduction of the gas pipeline through the site and there is a relatively new access formed during this project (PA 02/0050), from the A4 into the site and on to the gas facilities to the south and ultimately round to Ballanea Farm which lies to the north. The site is part of the land farmed as part of Ballanea Farm. There were sealed bales stacked on the site at the time of the site visit. ### Planning status 3. The site lies within an area designated on the Isle of Man Planning Scheme (Development Plan) Order 1982 as an Area of High Landscape or Coastal Value and Scenic Significance. ### The proposal 4. The Isle of Man Water and Sewerage Authority would like to erect a building which would be approximately 9 m by 9 m and 3.1 m to the eaves with a roof pitched at 20 degrees. This would accommodate pumping facilities, along with associated pipework and a small area of additional hardstanding leading from the existing access lane. 5. The structure would be similar in area and appearance to other existing facilities around the Island, such as at Laurel Bank and Clannagh Road, St. Mark's (a similar, rendered structure with slated roof pitched at around 35 degrees), Ballacallin (similar to Laurel Bank but with stone faced walling). There are other, more basic structures such as at Ballagare which is a simple tank like structure. 6. Planning permission would not be required for the structure if it were less than 29 cubic metres in area, as this would comply with the provisions of Class 5 of the Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development) Order 2012. The proposed building is larger than this and as such would require planning permission. ### Assessment 7. The building will be well screened from public view by the topography and existing trees and hedges. Even so, if the building were appropriately designed and finished there is no reason why a building as proposed should be detrimental to the landscape, bearing in mind its function and reason for being there. In this respect the proposed building should probably have a steeper pitched roof which would accommodate slates or a slate like finish - a pitch of 30 - 35 degrees would be preferable to create a more traditional character. A stone finish would also reduce its prominence if the building were to be visible. As can be seen from other sites which are more visible in the landscape, such structures can blend into the backdrop and become part of the countryside. 8. The only concern may be that the location of such a building could be disadvantageous to the farming operations which are undertaken on the surrounding land and it should be borne in mind in the design to ensure that the building is adequately fenced off and that access is maintained to the agricultural land to ensure continuity of the management of the land around the building. Miss Sarah Corlett Senior Planning Officer 8th October, 2012.