22 September 2015 · Committee
Field 431505, St Marks Road, St Marks, Ballasalla, Isle Of Man, IM9 3ag
This revised application sought permission to erect a dwelling with a driveway and parking on a small field of around half a hectare on the western side of St. Mark's Road (A26), Ballasalla. Part of the site was used as paddocks for sheep. The application was a revision of an earlier refused proposal (PA 14/00761/B). The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused the application on 22 September 2015. The site falls outside areas zoned for development in the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007 and the recently adopted Area Plan for the South, placing it in fundamental conflict with countryside protection policies.
The application was refused because the site lies outside any area zoned for development under the Isle of Man Strategic Plan and the recently adopted Area Plan for the South. The proposal did not meet any of the recognised exceptions that would allow development in the countryside. The remote location was also considered likely to increase car dependency, conflicting with policies promoting sustainable transport.
Refusal Reasons
Development should make the best use of resources
Strategic Policy 1: Development should make the best use of resources by: (a) optimising the use of previously developed land, redundant buildings, unused and under -used land and buildings, and re - using scarce indigenous building materials; (b) ensuring efficient use of sites, taking into account the needs for access, landscaping, open space (1) and amenity standards; and (c) being located so as to utilise existing and planned infrastructure, facilities and services. 4.2.2 In pursuance of (c) abo ve, the Department will, when formulating its programme for the preparation of new Area Plans, have particular regard to: (a) the availability of mains drainage connected to IRIS or other mains systems; (b) securing the future viability of rural primary schools; (c) the public investment in the Island's highway, bus, railway and tramway networks; (d) the provision and availability of water; and (e) community facilities. 4.3 Environment 4.3.1