24 June 2014 · Planning Committee
Port Erin Bowling Club Breagle Glen, St Marys Road, Port Erin, Isle Of Man, IM9 6jj
The proposal was to remove a specific condition on floodlights approved under PA 09/00979/B at the Breagle Glen Bowling Green, located off Saint Marys Road in Port Erin. Condition 3 required the lights and poles closest to nearby residential properties on Sunnydale Avenue (lights 1 and 2) to be raised only during limit…
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The officer's assessment started from the existing regulated situation, where conditions on the floodlights were imposed following longstanding neighbour concerns about light intrusion, visual impact …
support the application
Local residents from Sunnydale Avenue strongly object to the removal of Condition 3 due to visual intrusion, light pollution, and intensified floodlight use impacting amenity, while Port Erin Commissioners support the application citing community benefits and established planting.
Key concern: Light pollution and visual intrusion from permanent floodlights impacting residential amenity
Sunnydale Avenue Residents
ObjectionCondition 3... is a necessary, relevant and fundamental part of the Planning Permission. The Planning Inspector... referred to the Condition as 'a fair compromise'.; If the Bowling Club has plans to intensify use of the floodlighting, Condition 3 is needed more than ever; We object to this proposed intensification of use of the floodlights.
Edward Haley and Paul Haley
ObjectionThe Inspector stated in his report that the Condition regulating use of the floodlights was 'a fair compromise'.; Condition 3 is needed more than ever and would serve its long-term planning purpose of protecting the amenity of residents; We object most strongly to the removal of Planning Condition 3.
Port Erin Commissioners
SupportThe Board of Port Erin Commissioners... resolved to support the application.; The bowling green is a valuable community asset for Port Erin and the permanently raised floodlights will elongate the season to play on this facility.
Port Erin Commissioners
SupportThe Board of Port Erin Commissioners whole heartedly support the application to vary the condition.; The planting at the site should is now more established than when the condition was applied.; There a much larger lights adjacent to properties at other locations such as those at Castle Rushen High School Astroturf pitch.
The original application sought removal of Condition 3 from PA 09/00979/B, which restricted the raising/lowering and illumination times of floodlights at the bowling green to protect nearby residents. It was refused because no changed circumstances justified reducing controls, with potential adverse impact on amenities. The appellant argued changed circumstances including vegetation growth screening poles, wear on hinge mechanisms, economic needs, and proposed variations to lighting times. The inspector found modest visual impact from unilluminated poles due to vegetation and accepted some date extensions for lighting but rejected later cut-off and winter use. The appeal was allowed in part on 10 November 2014, approving the development without Condition 3 but with new conditions modifying lighting periods and retaining vegetation screening.
Precedent Value
Demonstrates that material changes like vegetation growth can justify relaxing pole-lowering requirements, but lighting times remain tightly controlled for amenity; future applicants should provide site-specific evidence (e.g. photos, sunset data) and propose incremental variations rather than full condition removal.
Inspector: Alan Langton
