7 December 2006 · Planning Committee
Field Number 124291, Oatlands Road, Andreas, Isle Of Man, IM7 4eu
The proposal sought approval in principle for a single storey dwelling on an open field north of Andreas village, outside designated development zones. The site is agricultural land used for grazing and crops, adjacent to the B6 road and a private track to existing properties.
Click a button above to find applications similar to this one.
See how this application compares to similar ones — policies, conditions, and outcomes side by side.
The officer noted the site is on the edge of built development in open countryside per the 1982 Development Plan Order, not zoned for development, and contrary to Planning Circular 1/88 which states s…
Planning Circular 1/88 Residential Housing in the Country
General presumption against development in countryside unless for viable agricultural holding; areas to remain substantially free from development. Proposal failed as standalone housing with no agricultural tie, risking precedent.
Planning Circular 3/88 - New Agricultural Dwellings
Sets tests for agricultural dwellings, requiring evidence of need, functional test for occupancy, and suitable siting. No such evidence provided; treated as open market housing.
no objection
do not oppose subject to conditions on footway, visibility splays, turning and parking
no objection in principle subject to connection to public sewer, details of drainage, and soakaway with percolation tests
Manx Electricity Authority and IoM Water Authority raised no objections but requested conditions for utility connections; Drainage Division offered conditional no objection; SPMC&E objected due to countryside intrusion; multiple private objections from Davenports cited loss of am…
Key concern: Development outside zoned residential area intruding into countryside and setting precedent for ribbon development
Manx Electricity Authority
Conditional No ObjectionSee Note 2; Contact the M.E.A. Planning Department (Tel. 687781), to discuss the electricity supply for this application.
Conditions requested: Contact the M.E.A. Planning Department (Tel. 687781), to discuss the electricity supply for this application
Isle of Man Water Authority
Conditional No ObjectionSee Note (2); Note (2) For single connections to a water main (i.e. a single dwelling) the applicant should contact IoMWA Customer Services, tel. 69 59 49
Conditions requested: The applicant must contact the Authority to ensure that a connection is obtained for water supply purposes, or an amendment to the existing supply under the terms of the Water Supply Byelaws; For single connections to a water main (i.e. a single dwelling) the applicant should contact IoMWA Customer Services, tel. 69 59 49
Drainage Division
Conditional No ObjectionNo Objection in principle, subject to the following conditions; A Communication Fee will be payable to the Department of Transport in respect of this drainage connection.
Conditions requested: The proposed dwelling must be connected to the public foul sewer. Full details of the foul and surface water disposal routes from this dwelling must be submitted as part of any subsequent detailed planning application; There must be no discharge of surface water from this proposed development to any foul drainage system; The Drainage Division recommends that the surface water from the proposed dwelling is discharged to a soakaway. Percolation tests will be required in support of this in any detailed planning application
Society for the Preservation of the Manx Countryside and Environment
ObjectionThe Society STRONGLY OBJECTS.; This site is just beyond and outside the areas zoned for Residential Development on the N.E.Sector Plan
The original application for approval in principle for a single storey retirement bungalow on field No.124291, Oatlands Road, Andreas, was refused by the Planning Committee primarily because the site is on white land not zoned for residential development and contrary to Circular 1/88 protecting open countryside. The appellant argued the zoning is outdated, cited a prior 1971 permission, highlighted a replacement dwelling nearby, and emphasised family needs for elderly parents-in-law and disabled daughter requiring proximity to support. The Council defended the refusal citing zoning, lack of agricultural justification, and precedent risks. Inspector Hollis, following written representations and a site visit on 5 February 2007, found personal family circumstances insufficient as planning reasons to override Circular 1/88, noted the site's open countryside character, rejected claims of minimal impact, and recommended dismissal due to harm to countryside character and precedent for sprawl. The appeal was dismissed, upholding the refusal.
Precedent Value
This appeal demonstrates that personal needs, even for vulnerable family members, carry no weight against strict countryside protections under Circular 1/88; applicants must show policy-compliant justifications like agricultural need, not proximity or one-off claims, to succeed on unzoned white land.
Inspector: David G Hollis
