18 December 2007 · Delegated - Director of Planning and Building Control (M. I. McCauley)
Squeen Farm, Ballacrye Road, Ballaugh, Isle Of Man, IM7 5bp
The proposal was for a new agricultural machinery shed measuring 9.2m in length and width with a maximum height of 5m, to replace an existing larger shed at Squeen Farm in a countryside location northeast of Ballaugh village.
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The officer concluded the proposed shed would not be used for genuine agricultural storage but for commercial retail purposes, evidenced by glazed display doors, sales access, and signage on the plans…
Policy EP18 (Isle of Man Strategic Plan Modified Draft)
Requires new buildings in the countryside, including agricultural ones, to be sited close to existing groups and appropriate in scale, materials, colour, siting and form to be sympathetic to the landscape. The officer found the proposal's retail-like design with glazing and signage failed this test, appearing inappropriate for an agricultural shed.
no objections
Do not oppose
no comment on merits, request informative note on cables/lines
Highways Division, Manx Electricity Authority, and Ballaugh Parish Commissioners raised no objections to application 06/01585/B, while a private individual J.D. Faulkner objected due to lack of change of use and visibility splay details.
Highways Division of the Department of Transport
No ObjectionDo Not Oppose
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 which may be required to be diverted before any work can be carried out on site.
Conditions requested: 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. All work to be carried out with reference to Health and Safety Executive Guidance Notes HS(G)47 & GS6
Ballaugh Parish Commissioners
No Objectionmy Commissioners have now considered the above proposed development, and have no objections thereto.
The original application 05/01436/B for erection of an agricultural and horticultural storage building and access track was refused by the Planning Committee because the site is not zoned for development, the proposal introduced inappropriate commercial/non-agricultural use into the countryside, and insufficient need was demonstrated. The appellant argued the building was primarily for agricultural activities on the land including Christmas tree growing, hay production and storage, and equipment for harvesting fields owned by family, with the site chosen to minimise visual impact and replace a derelict shed. The council defended the refusal citing policy restrictions on countryside development, lack of functional land-use connection, and potential visual harm from the airfield despite minimal highway visibility. The inspector concluded there was no clear long-term justification or financial viability for the permanent structure based on limited cropping activities, dismissing forestry vs agriculture as a sterile point. The Minister accepted the inspector's recommendation to dismiss the appeal on 18 August 2006.
Precedent Value
Demonstrates inspectors demand rigorous, evidenced proof of long-term agricultural/forestry need (including financial sustainability) for isolated permanent buildings in open countryside, beyond mere assertions of use; functional land tie insufficient if sideline to other occupations.
Inspector: Terrence Kemmann-Lane
