7 April 2008 · Delegated
Field 334540, Ballanass Road, Lower Foxdale, Isle Of Man, IM4 3be
Permission was granted for the erection of an indoor ménage and associated storage building on land at Ballanass Road, Lower Foxdale, Isle of Man, in the parish of Patrick. The officer's assessment focused on the visual impact of the proposed ménage on the surrounding area, the design and materials of the building, the suitability of the existing access to serve the site, and the potential impact on nearby properties. The natural landform of the site played a significant role in the assessment, with rising ground to the north reducing the structure's visual prominence and rising land to the east preventing the building from breaking the skyline. The application was approved on 7 April 2008 under delegated authority, with six conditions attached to the permission.
The application was approved on 7 April 2008 under delegated authority. The officer assessed the visual impact of the ménage on the surrounding area, the design and materials of the building, the suitability of the existing access, and the impact on nearby properties. The natural topography of the site — with rising land to the north and east — was found to reduce the structure's visual impact and prevent it from breaking the skyline.
general stance towards Equestrian Pursuits
sets out the general stance towards Equestrian Pursuits
Retailing from farms, market gardens and nurseries (excepting ancillary sales of produce grown thereon) will be subject to the Department's general retail policies. 7.15 Equestrian Pursuits 7.15.1 Equestrian activities are becoming increasingly popular in rural areas and on the fringes of our towns and villages. These activities can generally take place only on open, rural land, and often represent a useful way of diversifying traditional farming. The use of land as grazing land falls within t he definition of agriculture (section 45 of the 1999 Town and Country Planning Act), and does not therefore involve development, but the keeping of horses and the operation of equestrian activities generally do involve development and may have an adverse impact on the appearance and character of the countryside. Sensitive siting and high standards of design, construction, and maintenance are necessary to ensure that there are no such adverse impacts. Whilst horses should be well housed, it will seldom be appropriate to use cavity-wall construction for stables, since such buildings may too easily be adapted for residential uses, so thwarting other policies of this Plan. Where new buildings are necessary, they should be sited close to existing building grou ps, and designed not only to blend with their surroundings but also to suit their specific purpose.
Development of equestrian activities and buildings
it is considered that the proposal would comply with Environmental Policy 21
presumption against large scale equestrian developments
There will be a presumption against large scale equestrian developments
Buildings for the stabling, shelter or care of horses
it is considered that the proposal would comply with Environmental Policy 21
Condition 1
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Condition 2
This approval relates to the erection of an indoor ménage and associated storage as shown by the plans and information AMC A, AMC B, AMC D, MG26184PL, Photographs AMC 1-5 and Support Letter submitted and date stamped 19th November 2007, Supplementary Plan submitted and date stamped 29th February 2008 and Supplementray Plan 2 and Supplementary Plan 3 submitted and date stamped 5th March 2008.
Condition 3
The approved ménage and storage shall be for private use only and shall be ancillary to 'Ballahais Farm'.
Condition 4
The approved menage may only be used for equestrian purposes.
Condition 5
The external finish of the approved menage must be finished in dark green or dark grey.
Condition 6
No development may commence until there has been approved by the Planning Authority a scheme of landscaping which includes indications of all existing trees and hedges within the site and details of any to be retained together with measures for their protection during the course of construction. There must also be submitted as part of the scheme of landscaping, details of additional screening to be planted on the south east boundary of the site as demarcated in red on the Site Plan (AMC A). All planting, seeding or turfing comprised in the approved details of landscaping must be carried out in the first planting and seeding seasons following the completion of the development. Any trees or plants which within a period of five years from the completion of the development die, are removed, or become seriously damaged or diseased must be replaced in the next planting season with others of a similar size and species.
