Refusal Notice 04/01155/A

Town and Country Planning Acts, 1934 - 1991

Isle of Man Planning Scheme (Development Plan) Order 1982

Ray Corkhill Services Railway Inn Main Road Union Mills

In pursuance of powers granted under the above Acts and Order the Department of Local Government and the Environment does hereby REFUSE the following application made on behalf of:

Name: Ms Kate Higgins Proposal: Approval in principle for the erection of twenty five additional self catering holiday cottages, a serviced camping site, and alterations to improve visibility to existing highway access, Field 611566, at: Ballachrink Farm Cottages Ballaragh Laxey IM4 7PJ

which was considered on 27 May 2005, for the reasons set out below.

Date of Issue: 6 June, 2005 Murray House Mount Havelock Douglas Secretary Planning Committee

Reasons For Refusal:

1. The site is presently not designated for development on the Isle of Man Planning Scheme (Development Plan) Order 1982. Whilst development has been approved on this site in association with 95/0681 and the existing tourist operations, that permission has never been taken up. In addition, the emerging Laxey _ Lonan Plan identifies as "Tourism" only that part of the site which is already developed or which has permission for further tourist-related development. The erection of twenty five holiday cottages would represent a significant intrusion of buildings into an area which is neither designated nor approved for development. Such a development would have a significant and adverse impact on the appearance of the area which is largely open and uncharacterised by buildings. No justification in terms of demonstrable need or a business plan has been provided to warrant setting aside this policy objection.

1. The provision of a camp site on a sloping, exposed field would represent a significant and detrimental visual intrusion into an open area which is not designated for development. This, together with the nature of the land and its inherent unsuitability for a camp site would over-ride any benefit there may be in the provision of such facilities on the Island.

1. There are insufficient details of the proposed alterations to the access to enable the Planning Committee to be satisfied that such would be safe and would not have any adverse visual or other impact on the area.

1. This decision was made by the Planning Committee constituted in accordance with Paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 of the Isle of Man Planning Scheme (Development Plan) Order 1982.

Note 1: The decision contained in this notice does not become final until:-

• the time for requesting a review of the initial decision has expired; or
• any review of the initial decision has been completed; or
• the time for requesting an appeal in relation to any decision at review has expired; or
• any appeal has been completed.

Note 2: Rights of review against the decision are attached.