Planning Committee Minutes Decision

The case officer reported on the matter and summarised the key issues, in particular, the planning history and site zoning (current and draft local plans). The applicant’s Foxdale site was queried, and whether there was ‘adequate’ agricultural accommodation there, sufficient for their agricultural needs. Mrs Mullen agreed that the applicant was actively relocating all his agricultural activity to Foxdale. The ‘light industrial’ use class and the activities allowed by such were discussed. Any ‘use’ outside of this class would require a new planning application. The case officer explained that (a) on the draft Braddan Area Plan, this site had been zoned for light industrial use, that (b) this zoning had been confirmed by the inspector reporting after the public enquiry, but that (c) the draft plan had now been abandoned and was not to be progressed The Director added that (a) in announcing abandonment of the plan, the Minister had indicated that consideration would nevertheless be given to progressing, in other ways, the provision of adequate land for industrial development; and that (b) it was still material, in the determination of this application, to have regard to the content of the abandoned plan and to the conclusions thereon which would have been reached by the Inspector. Member of the Committee nevertheless indicated that they remained concerned about having regard to an abandoned plan, and about the precedent which might be established by doing so. Whilst noting that the site was well screened, and the contents of a letter from the applicant explaining the relocation of agricultural activity on this site, the Committee also expressed concern about the future use of the site and the impact of traffic and external activity. ### Decision The Committee accepted the recommendation of the case officer on the understanding that their concerns had been documented. Accordingly a condition restricting any storage outside of the units and a note regarding external lighting were required. The application was approved subject to the following conditions. {{table:140782}} C 1. The use must be taken up within four years of the date of this notice in order for this approval to remain valid after that time. C 2. This approval relates to Drg. No's. 1023/60/01; 02 submitted as part of this application and date stamped 13th July 2006. C 3. Prior to the taking up of the use, a plan must be submitted for consideration and approval by the Planning Authority, indicating the parking layout within the site. Such a layout must comply with the current parking standards of the Department of Transport Highways Division. C 4. Prior to the taking up of the use, details of the landscaping scheme, which must include indications of all existing trees and hedges within the site, must be submitted for consideration and approval by the Planning Authority. C 5. 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 taking up of the use. Any trees or plants which within a period of five years from that date, 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. C6. No outside storage of materials associated with the use hereby approved, is permitted within the site. N 1. PRIOR to the commencement of any works the applicant is advised to consult the Chief Fire Officer to ensure that adequate fire precautions are taken. N 2. For water connections that comprise more than a single connection to a water main or service, or where new water mains and hydrants will be required, the applicant should contact the Isle of Man Water Authority Planning and Projects Section, telephone 695958. N3. The applicant is advised that further planning approval may be required for the installation of external lighting. ### Party Status The Committee considered the case officer’s recommendations in this respect, but having particular regards to (a) the planning history, whereby “rezoning” of the site was now proposed in the draft Braddan Plan, but was not put into effect because the Department decided not to proceed with that Plan, and to (b) the nature of the activity being proposed in the application and the concerns being expressed about that activity by the objectors; the majority of the Committee judged it appropriate to accept that persons residing beyond the immediately adjoining land had sufficient interest to take part in any further proceedings. Accordingly the Committee accepted as interested parties those residents of Braddan Hills who had made representation.