11 October 2007 · Delegated - Director of Planning and Building Control (M. I. McCauley)
Field 334470, Main Road, Glen Maye, Isle Of Man, IM5 3bl
The proposal sought approval in principle for a single dwelling (intended as a retirement home for farmers Mr V & Mrs A Howe) on Field 334470, a sloping pasture field adjacent to existing dwellings south of Glen Maye, accessed via a shared private driveway from a hairpin bend on the main road.
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 site is outside the Area of Predominantly Residential Use on the 1982 Development Plan (zoned woodland) and not within any current zoning for development, triggering General Policy 3 of the Strate…
General Policy 3
Prohibits development outside areas zoned for development on appropriate Area Plan, except essential housing for agricultural workers (referencing Housing Policies 7,8,9). Site in woodland zone per 1982 Plan; agent rejected ag tie, so treated as market housing failing the test. Officer/inspector: strictly applies as no zoning or exception met.
Housing Policy 4
New housing primarily in existing towns/villages or sustainable urban extensions. Site not planned expansion, remote, low density (~0.5ha single unit) lacks facilities/infrastructure; inspector rejected as misapplied to unplanned rural site.
Housing Policy 7
Essential agricultural dwellings only in exceptional circumstances with real need demonstrated. Existing farmhouse adequate; no evidence of need for retired farmer presence alongside principal occupant.
Housing Policy 8
Ag dwellings must have occupancy condition tied to agriculture. Agent explicitly rejected condition, negating exception under GP3.
Housing Policy 9
Related to ag housing assessment; referenced but not detailed as case not pursued with sufficient evidence or DAFF input.
No objection subject to conditions (no work near river without consent)
Do not oppose subject to conditions
No objection provided no development within 8m of watercourse; safeguard against pollution
No reason to object
Note received (contact for cables/supply)
Multiple private individuals strongly object to the application due to access issues, flooding risks, policy non-compliance, and ribbon development; statutory consultees (DAFF Inland Fisheries, Drainage Division, Manx Electricity Authority) raise no objection with conditions; Soc…
Key concern: ribbon development and non-compliance with General Policy 3
DAFF Inland Fisheries
Conditional No ObjectionNo objection, provided there is no development within 8 metres of the watercourse; For further advice and guidance for working on or near the watercourse please contact the Inland Fisheries Section of DAFF
Conditions requested: no development within 8 metres of the watercourse to ensure the retention of habitat, prevent disturbance to the watercourse and minimise the risk of riverbank erosion; every effort must be made to safeguard against water pollution to the nearby watercourse from any surface run-off and sedimentation during construction works
Drainage Division
Conditional No ObjectionNo Objection in principle, subject to the following conditions; The applicant is therefore advised to discuss the positioning of the proposed dwelling with the Department’s Land Drainage Engineer
Conditions requested: No work shall be carried out on or near a river without written consent from the Departments Land Drainage Engineer in accordance with Land Drainage Act 1934 section 35; discuss the positioning of the proposed dwelling with the Department’s Land Drainage Engineer prior to any detailed planning application
Manx Electricity Authority
Conditional No ObjectionNote 2: Contact the M.E.A. Planning Department (Tel. 687781), to discuss the electricity supply for this application
Conditions requested: applicant must contact the Authority; Contact the M.E.A. Planning Department (Tel. 687781), to discuss the electricity supply for this application
Patrick Parish Commissioners
ObjectionThe Commissioners would emphasise their resistance to the idea of “Ribbon Development” in the village; this Application does not comply with Housing Policy 4 and this alone should be sufficient to refuse the Application
Conditions requested: Condition restricting use of the property to a 'Retired Agricultural Worker' be applied and enforced
Society for the Preservation of the Manx Countryside & Environment
No CommentThere have been many attempts to squeeze-in extra dwellings around the village cluster of Glen Maye due, in part, to the poor quality draftsmanship of the Sector Plan. Thankfully nearly all have been refused. We think this one should be too...unless it is excepted and accepted as a farm dwelling with occupancy condition.; Defer pending site visit.
The original application for approval in principle to erect a dwelling on a pasture field adjacent to Glen Maye was refused by the Planning Authority. Appellants argued the site was within a residential envelope per the Western Sector Plan, constituted infill/rounding off, and qualified as a farmer's retirement dwelling without occupancy restriction. The Council defended refusal under Strategic Plan (SP) General Policy 3 for land outside zoned areas, noting outdated Sector Plans and insufficient agricultural need evidence. Inspector concluded the site was unzoned (woodland per 1982 plan), rejected infill/urban extension claims, found no policy support, and dismissed agricultural exception due to inadequate need demonstration and refusal of occupancy condition. Appeal recommended for dismissal.
Precedent Value
Demonstrates strict application of SP GP3 in unzoned areas; applicants must use current plans only, provide robust agricultural need evidence assessed by DAFF, and accept policy-required conditions; vague settlement extension arguments ineffective without policy backing.
Inspector: David Ward
