29 January 2026 · Delegated - Principal Planner (Chris Balmer)
Upper Garth, Garth Road, Crosby, Isle Of Man, IM4 2hb
The proposal involves converting traditional Manx stone barns/stables at Upper Garth Farm on Garth Road, Crosby, into ancillary accommodation linked to the main farmhouse, including a single storey pitched roof extension on the western elevation finished in Cedral cladding and natural slate, plus changes to doors and f…
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The officer assessed the proposal against Housing Policy 11, confirming the barns are redundant for agricultural use (no recent activity, larger barn active elsewhere), structurally suitable for conve…
General Policy 3
Provides exceptions to countryside development for re-use of existing rural buildings; proposal qualifies as redundant traditional structures suitable for ancillary conversion without new open land development.
Housing Policy 11
Guides rural building conversions to dwellings based on 8 criteria (redundancy, structure, interest, scale, compatibility, appearance, materials, services); all met via structural report, historic Manx stone character, minimal subservient extension, farm compatibility, and existing services.
General Policy 2
Requires no detriment to amenity, character, highway safety, ecology; satisfied by concealed location, adequate parking/outlook, no neighbour impacts, and bat/swallow mitigations.
Environment Policy 1
Protects countryside/ecology; re-use preserves fabric without landscape harm, buildings concealed by topography/trees.
Environment Policy 4
Protects biodiversity/protected species; bat survey shows negligible potential (no evidence), DEFA accepts with swallow nest boxes condition.
Environment Policy 5 - Mitigation against damage to or loss of habitats
Mitigates habitat loss; requires swallow nest boxes prior to occupation and bat-sensitive lighting.
Time limit
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Ancillary use only
The accommodation hereby approved may only be used in association with the main dwelling house at 'Upper Garth Farm', Upper Garth, Garth Road, Crosby, and for purposes incidental to the use of main dwelling house as a single dwelling, for no commercial purposes and only in accordance with the internal layout as shown on the submitted Drawing No. 25/08/05 received 20 November 2025, and being retained thereafter.
No tourist/separate residential use
Notwithstanding the details provided within this application, no permission is given to the use of the barn as tourist accommodation or as separate residential accommodation not ancillary to the main dwelling.
Materials approval
Prior to the commencement of the development hereby approved, a schedule including specifications and manufacturers details of all external materials (including roofing, windows, doors, and rainwater goods) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details and retained as such thereafter.
Swallow nest boxes
Prior to the occupation of the ancillary accommodation hereby approved, the two swallow nest boxes shown on Drawing No. 25/08/05, submitted on 20 November 2025, shall be installed in the positions indicated on that drawing. The nest boxes shall be retained as such thereafter.
Bat-sensitive lighting
No new external lighting shall be installed on the development hereby approved other than lighting designed, positioned and operated in accordance with the recommendations of the Bat Conservation Trust and Institution of Lighting Professionals Guidance Note 8: Bats and Artificial Lighting (2018).
No objection, no significant negative impact on highway safety/network/parking provided remains ancillary via condition
No objection
Bat assessment in order (no evidence found); mitigation required for swallows via nest boxes; no bat mitigation needed but encourage bat boxes; lighting per Bat Conservation Trust guidance
Marown Parish Commissioners have no objection to application 25/91022/B for the conversion of barns/stables to ancillary accommodation at Upper Garth Farm.
Marown Parish Commissioners
No ObjectionThe Commissioners have NO OBJECTION to the following: • 25/91022/B – Conversion of existing barns / stables to ancillary accommodation with erection of single storey extension and alterations to doors and fenestration – Upper Garth Farm, Upper Garth Road, Crosby, IM4 2HB
