18 August 2008 · Planning Committee
Dreemskerry Farm, Lewaigue Road, Dreemskerry, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM7 1bf
The proposal was for a detached timber barn (approximately 16m x 14m, 6.6m high, monopitch steel roof) on 22 acres of hobby farm land adjacent to a new dwelling at Dreemskerry Farm, east of Dreemskerry Road.
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The officer concluded the proposal failed General Policy 3, ENV1 and ENV15 as there was no sufficient agricultural justification: DAFF assessed the 22-acre hobby farm (0.02 standard labour units, plan…
General Policy 3
Prohibits development outside zoned areas except specific exceptions like essential agricultural buildings (f). Officer assessed no agricultural need per DAFF for hobby farm; wood storage/domestic use not listed exception. Failed as unwarranted countryside development.
Environment Policy 1
Protects countryside unless overriding national need with no alternative. Proposal adversely affects countryside without justification, as hobby scale not essential agriculture.
Environment Policy 2
Protects High Landscape/Coastal Value areas unless no harm or essential location. Even if justified, visual impact from barn size/siting in open field harms character/quality.
Environment Policy 15
Permits agricultural buildings if need outweighs countryside policy, sited near groups, scale-appropriate. No proven need; size excessive; near residential but impacts landscape.
Do not oppose
Note received; express interest (underground cables/overhead lines nearby, contact required)
Maughold Parish Commissioners recommend refusal due to countryside policy, scale impacting amenity and landscape; DAFF Agricultural Advisor notes some benefits but building size not an agricultural necessity; Highways Division do not oppose; Manx Electricity Authority notes underground cables.
Key concern: general policy against development in the countryside and unproven agricultural need
Maughold Parish Commissioners
ObjectionIt is the view of the Commission that the general policy against development in the countryside should not be set aside in respect of this application.; The Commission recommends refusal of this application.
Manx Electricity Authority
Conditional No ObjectionNOTE 1: There are Underground Cables/Overhead Lines present in the area indicated in you Planning Application.
Conditions requested: applicant must contact the Authority; contact Network Operations Department (Tel. 687687) 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; Contact the M.E.A. for Electrical Site Safety 5 documents (Tel. 687766), 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
DAFF Agricultural Advisor
No CommentOn the basis of these comments, the erection of a new agricultural building would have some practical agricultural benefits. However, a building of this size does not appear to be an agricultural necessity.
Highways Division
No ObjectionDo Not Oppose
The original application (08/00732/B) for erection of a timber barn was refused by the Planning Committee. The appellants argued the barn was for hobby farming (sheep, feed storage) and wood storage/splitting for environmentally friendly fuel use at their new replacement dwelling. The Council defended the refusal citing lack of agricultural justification, conflict with countryside protection policies, and unacceptable visual impact in a high landscape value area. The inspector found no essential agricultural need, viewed wood storage as residential extension, noted imprecise hobby farming intentions, and concluded the development would harm the rural character. The appeal was dismissed, confirming the refusal.
Precedent Value
Appeals for non-essential agricultural buildings in high landscape value countryside will fail without proven current need and precise functional justification. Future applicants must demonstrate essential operations under GP3 exceptions and fully address visual impacts beyond the building itself.
Inspector: Graham Self
