16 October 2015 · Delegated
Ballacorkish Farm, Scholaby Road, Colby, Isle Of Man, IM9 4ah
This application sought permission to erect two agricultural buildings at Ballacorkish Farm, Scholaby Road, Colby, Isle of Man. The proposal was an amendment to an earlier approval (PA14/01273/B), changing the orientation of the two buildings after the applicant found, once the land was cleared, that the revised layout would sit more comfortably within the landscape. The farm is a large holding accessed from Scholaby Road, with a mix of stone outbuildings, more modern structures, and a farmhouse. The officer noted that the proposed buildings would remain on the northern side of the farm track, close to the existing group of buildings, which would help contain their visual impact. The application was permitted on 16 October 2015 under delegated authority. The officer's assessment focused on the character and appearance of the site and the visual impact on the wider landscape, concluding that the amended orientation was acceptable.
The application was permitted on 16 October 2015 under delegated authority. The amendment changed the orientation of two agricultural buildings already approved under an earlier permission, after the applicant found the revised layout better suited the landscape once the land had been cleared. The officer considered the buildings' proximity to existing farm structures would limit their overall visual impact on the surrounding area.
General Policy 3
provides agricultural exception for development in the countryside
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.
Environment Policy 15
sets out parameters against which new agricultural buildings are assessed against, including agricultural need, location and design
Environment Policy 15: Where the Department is satisfied that there is agricultural or horticultural need for a new building (including a dwelling), sufficient to outweigh the general policy against development in the countryside, and that the impact of this developme nt including buildings, accesses, servicing etc. is acceptable, such development must be sited as close as is practically possible to existing building groups and be appropriate in terms of scale, materials, colour, siting and form to ensure that all new d evelopments are sympathetic to the landscape and built environment of which they will form a part. Only in exceptional circumstances will buildings be permitted in exposed or isolated areas or close to public highways and in all such cases will be subject to appropriate landscaping. The nature and materials of construction must also be appropriate to t he purposes for which it is intended. Where new agricultural buildings are proposed next to or close to existing residential properties, care must be taken to ensure that there is no unacceptable adverse impact through any activity, although it must be b orne in mind that many farming activities require buildings which are best sited, in landscape terms, close to existing building groups in the rural landscape.
