19 September 2025
Field 321756, Foxdale Road, Braaid, Isle Of Man, IM4 2an
Information in relation to condition 8 of PA 24/91306/B and AP25/0007 detailing precautionary working method statement for breeding birds and lizards
Appeal against the approval for the erection of a new farmhouse and agricultural barn
The erection of a new farmhouse and agricultural barn
Erection of 4-bedroomed bungalow, (agricultural worker's dwelling), and erection of agricultural barn and the construction of a private access road.
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Highways Development Control will not submit a statement of case as appeal grounds are unrelated to highways; DEFA Planning Officer will rely on the original Officer Report as their statement.
Highway Services Division
No Commentneither of which are related to the highway or the proposed access. Therefore, Highways DC will not be submitting their own statement of case for the appeal process.
DEFA Planning & Building Control Directorate
No Commentthe Department will rely upon the Officer Report as its Statement for the above appeal. This addresses the two points raised by the Appellant, being the principle of development and application of policy and the impact of the development upon amenity.
The original application (24/91306/B) for a new agricultural workers' dwelling with garage and detached barn was approved by the Department on 14 February 2025 following revisions to address prior refusals, primarily justified by demonstrated agricultural need and functional requirements. Appellants (residents of The White House and others) argued the proposal failed Housing Policy 9 siting criteria, lacked essential agricultural need under HP7, caused unacceptable visual harm to countryside character under EP1/EP15/GP3, harmed residential amenity, and set harmful precedent. The inspector found agricultural need justified (supported by DEFA Agricultural Policy Manager's assessment of 3.06 full-time labour units), siting acceptable within hamlet context despite strict HP9 reading, limited visual/amenity/highway impacts, and recommended dismissal. The Minister accepted the recommendation on 19 September 2025, upholding approval with conditions including agricultural occupancy restriction, materials approval, barn use limitation, and landscaping.
Precedent Value
Demonstrates that robust DEFA-verified agricultural need can justify countryside exceptions even where HP9 siting is not strictly met, if functional tests passed and impacts limited in hamlet edge locations. Future applicants should prioritise quantitative labour evidence, veterinary support, and site revisions responsive to prior refusals.
Inspector: Frances Mahoney MRTPI IHBC
