Approval in principle for the erection of a barn

Why Was This Approved?

• ✓Genuine agricultural need demonstrated — livestock management and feed storage for a working farm
• ✓Application was for approval in principle only, with indicative rather than detailed plans
• ✓Officer considered the level of information adequate for this stage of the process
• ✓Site lies within an agricultural open space area and an area of high landscape value
• ✓Barn-to-dwelling scale relationship acknowledged but consistent with other farm buildings on the Island

The proposal was for a barn measuring approximately 24 metres by 12 metres, sited around 15 metres from Ballamanaugh Road, with a 2–3 metre hedgerow along the south-eastern boundary. The site lies within an area of open space (including agriculture) under the Sulby Local Plan Order 1998 and within an area of high landscape value under the Isle of Man Development Plan Order 1982. The applicant explained that the barn was needed for livestock management — including lambing for around 200 lambs and four pigs — and for storing feed and hay, as they had been unable to purchase an existing barn associated with Allandale Farm. The officer considered the level of information submitted adequate for this stage and the proposal appropriate in its agricultural context.

The officer approved the application in principle because the barn serves a genuine agricultural need for a working farm, and the indicative plans were considered sufficient detail for this stage of approval. Concerns about the barn's scale relative to the house were acknowledged but treated as matters for a future detailed application, with the officer noting that similar relationships between farm buildings and dwellings are common across the Island.

Policies Assessed (3)

Documents (13)