4 July 2008 · Committee
Field 432533 (Formally 2533), Phildraw Road, Ballasalla, Isle Of Man, IM9 3eg
The application sought approval in principle to erect three dwellings on three agricultural fields on the north-western side of Phildraw Road (A34), to the north-west of Ballasalla village. The site, along with adjoining land to the north-east and south-west, has been designated for Low Density Housing in Parkland under the Isle of Man Planning Scheme since 1982, though very few applications had come forward in that time. A neighbour at Ballavoddan raised concerns that the development would harm views of the hills and landscape from Phildraw Road and further afield, and could constitute skyline development. The officer assessed that the introduction of the Strategic Plan had not introduced any policy that would justify a different outcome from a previous approval on the site (PA 03/1902). The application site is less visually prominent than land to the north-east, and the designated use itself anticipates substantial dwellings in their own grounds. The Planning Committee approved the application in line with the officer's recommendation, subject to five conditions.
The site has been allocated for low-density housing in parkland since 1982, and no change in policy or practice since the previous approval on the site provided grounds for refusal. Although visual impact was raised as a concern, the officer noted the site is less prominent in views from the east than neighbouring properties, and the designated use itself anticipates substantial dwellings with significant visual presence. The Planning Committee agreed with the officer's recommendation to approve.
Planning Circular 8/89
Condition 1
This approval is in principle only and will remain valid for a period of two years within which time no development may take place until such time as details of the reserved matters (siting, design, external appearance, internal layout, means of access, landscaping) have been approved by the Planning Authority. Such reserved matters should form the subject of a single application.
Condition 2
This permission relates to the principle of the development of three dwellings as shown in drawing PL199/1 and the location plan, both received on 29th April, 2008.
Condition 3
Each dwelling must be individually designed in response to the topography of each plot and to a high quality, standing within at least one acre of its own landscaped grounds, in accordance with the provisions of Planning Circular 8/89.
Condition 4
The application for reserved matters must demonstrate that a safe access can be provided together with the retention or re-construction of traditional Manx banks along the frontage of the site.
Condition 5
The application for reserved matters must include a detailed and accurate survey of all existing hedges and trees on site and provision for the protection of such vegetation both during and after the course of construction together with a scheme for new planting to create a landscaped setting for each of the properties and to complement and reinforce the existing vegetation.
