2 October 2006 · Minister for Local Government and the Environment (on appeal, following independent inspector's recommendation)
Alfred Pier Breakwater, The Quay, Port St Mary, Isle Of Man, IM9 5ea
The proposal involved placing a white-painted, flat-roofed portacabin, similar in size to an adjacent Harbour Board storage building, on a small undeveloped plot in the Commissioners' Boat Park alongside the lifeboat station and public conveniences.
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The initial refusal by the Director of Planning and Building Control on 20 September 2006 was due to the portacabin's siting on a prominent site being 'detrimental to the setting and appearance of the…
DoT Highways objects due to lack of parking details; Manx Electricity Authority notes underground cables and requests contact; Port St Mary Commissioners have no objections.
Key concern: parking requirements for the club are not detailed within the planning application
Manx Electricity Authority
Conditional No ObjectionThere are Underground Cables/Overhead Lines present in the area indicated in you Planning Application. Please contact Anthony Kinrade or Ian Horsey, Operations and Maintenance Dept, Network Services, Manx Electricity Authority, (Tel. 687705) to discuss working practices around Cables and Overhead Lines; The Authority wish to express their interest in the following planning applications, and request that a condition of planning be that the applicant must contact the Authority
Conditions requested: a condition of planning be that the applicant must contact the Authority; Contact the M.E.A. for Electrical Site Safety 5 documents before any work is carried out on site
DoT Highways Planning Responses
ObjectionObjection; The siting of a cabin will provide a focus for these activities and the parking requirements for the club are not detailed within the planning application
Port St Mary Commissioners
No ObjectionMy Commissioners have considered the above Planning Application to which they have no objections.
The original application for temporary siting of a portacabin at Commissioners' Boat Park, Port St Mary was refused due to its detrimental impact on the prominent harbourside setting. The appellant argued for a temporary solution due to imminent relocation needs, supported by Port St Mary Commissioners. The inspector acknowledged visual harm from a permanent portacabin but accepted a six-month temporary permission to meet immediate winter storage needs while permanent premises were negotiated. The appeal was dealt with by written representations with a site visit. The inspector recommended the appeal succeed on this limited temporary basis.
Precedent Value
This appeal shows temporary permissions can succeed where genuine short-term operational needs are evidenced, even on visually sensitive sites, if permanence is acknowledged as unacceptable. Future applicants should secure local landowner support and propose strict time limits (e.g. 6 months) tied to relocation plans.
Inspector: G Farrington
