5 February 2026 · Committee
Centenary Park, Hillberry Road, Onchan, Isle Of Man, IM3 3td
Onchan District Commissioners applied for permission to erect three concrete bays and use part of Centenary Park, Hillberry Road, Onchan, for the disposal of biodegradable cut plant material arising from their ground maintenance work. The use was proposed as a sui generis use, meaning it does not fall neatly into a standard planning category. Centenary Park is a 10-acre public park to the east of Hillberry, Onchan. The specific part of the site subject to the application is screened from the public by metal fencing and already contains mounds of soil and grass, a storage container, and a shed used by the woodlands trust. The officer noted that the existing biodegradable material on site appeared unsightly and was visible from publicly accessible areas. The application was approved by committee on 5 February 2026.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture approved the application on 5 February 2026. Key planning issues considered included the principle of development, visual impact, and potential effects on neighbouring amenity from noise, smell, and light. The proposal was found acceptable and permission was granted subject to two conditions.
Waste management installations
Efficient use of land and resources
Strategic Policy 1: Development should make the best use of resources by: (a) optimising the use of previously developed land, redundant buildings, unused and under -used land and buildings, and re - using scarce indigenous building materials; (b) ensuring efficient use of sites, taking into account the needs for access, landscaping, open space (1) and amenity standards; and (c) being located so as to utilise existing and planned infrastructure, facilities and services. 4.2.2 In pursuance of (c) abo ve, the Department will, when formulating its programme for the preparation of new Area Plans, have particular regard to: (a) the availability of mains drainage connected to IRIS or other mains systems; (b) securing the future viability of rural primary schools; (c) the public investment in the Island's highway, bus, railway and tramway networks; (d) the provision and availability of water; and (e) community facilities. 4.3 Environment 4.3.1
Exceptions for land not designated for development
General Policy 3: Development will not be permitted outside of those areas which are zoned for development on the appropriate Area Plan with the exception of: (a) essential housing for agricultural workers who have to live close to their place of work; (Housing Policies 7, 8, 9 and 10); (b) conversion of redundant rural buildings which are of architectural, historic, or social value and interest; (Housing Policy 11); (c) previously developed land (1) which contains a significant amount of building; where the continued use is redundant; where redevelopment would reduce the impact of the current situation on the landscape or the wider environment; and where the development proposed would result in improvements to the landscape or wider environment; (d) the replacement of existing rural dwellings; (Housing Policies 12, 13 and 14); (e) location-dependent development in connection with the working of minerals or the provision of necessary services; (f) building and engineering operations which are essential for the conduct of agriculture or forestry; (g) development recognised to be of overriding national need in land use planning terms and for which there is no reasonable and acceptable alternative; and (h) buildings or works required for interpretation of the countryside, its wildlife or heritage. 6.4 Planning Agreements 6.4.1 Where development is acceptable and in accordance with the provisions of this Plan and the relevant Area Plan, but raises issues which cannot be addressed by the imposition of planning conditions, the Department will seek to conclude an Agreement with the developer under Section 13 of the 1999 Town and Country Planning Act.
General Development Considerations
it is deemed to be an acceptable form of development when considered in the light of General policy 2 (b & c).
General Policy 2: Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development: (a) is in accordance with the design brief in the Area Plan where there is such a brief; (b) respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them; (c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape; (d) does not adversely affect the protected wildlife or locally important habitats on the site or adjacent land, including water courses; (e) does not affect adversely public views of the sea; (f) incorporates where possible existing topography and landscape features, particularly trees and sod banks; (g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality; (h) provides satisfactory amenity standards in itself, including where appropriate safe and convenient access for all highway users, together with adequate parking, servicing and manoeuvring space; (i) does not have an unacceptable effect on road safety or traffic flows on the local highways; (j) can be provided with all necessary services; (k) does not prejudice the use or development of adjoining land in accordance with the appropriate Area Plan; (l) is not on contaminated land or subject to unreasonable risk of erosion or flooding; (m) takes account of community and personal safety and security in the design of buildings and the spaces around them; and (n) is designed having due regard to best practice in reducing energy consumption. 6.3 Development outside of areas zoned for development
Condition 1
- 1. The area hereby approved within the red line on Drawing No. EX-01 dated received 23rd September 2025 shall be used only as a site for the disposal/recycling of biodegradable plant material for the purposes of ground maintenance solely for and by Onchan District Commissioners, and operated/retained as such thereafter. Reason: To ensure proper control of the development and to reflect the information provided in the application, as the Department has assessed the impact of the proposal on the basis of the specific use and the documents submitted.
Condition 2
- 2. No development of the bays or sod bank shall commence until full details of the sod bank, together with a timescale for its installation, have been submitted to and approved in writing by Planning. The approved bays and sod bank shall be installed in accordance with the agreed timescale and retained as such thereafter. Reason: In the interests of the character and appearance of the site and surrounding area.
Creation of woodland centenary park incorporating a nature trail, memorial garden, ponds, tree planting and implement shed
with an application to formulise this in 2015 under PA15/00172/B
Approval in Principle for the creation of a vehicle park
Certificate of Lawful Use by Onchan District Commissioners for green waste recycling