25 May 2011 · Delegated
Wallberry Farm, Old Castletown Road, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM4 1aq
The application sought to change the use of Walberry Farm, on the southern side of Old Castletown Road in Braddan, from a conventional farm to a community farm run by The Children's Centre for educational and recreational purposes. Associated works included drainage improvements, alterations to the vehicular access onto Old Castletown Road, creation of a car park, and erection of two polytunnels. The farmhouse was also proposed for use as an office to administer other parts of The Children's Centre's wider operation. The site sits within land designated as open space (agricultural) under the Braddan Parish District Local Plan. The officer considered that farming by groups of people for educational purposes is not significantly different in planning impact from conventional farming, and that the additional office use of the farmhouse was unlikely to generate significant harm. Initial highway concerns about the access and car park layout were resolved after the applicant's agent met with the Highways Division on site and submitted revised drawings, which the Highways Division confirmed were acceptable.
The proposal was approved because the impact of community farming was judged to be low compared to conventional farming, the office use of the farmhouse was considered unlikely to cause significant harm, and revised drawings resolved the Highways Division's initial concerns about the access and car park layout. Braddan Parish Commissioners also recommended approval.
open space (agricultural)
the application site is within a wider area of land that is designated as open space (agricultural)
