Plans for replacement primary school mobile classroom approved

Plans for a double mobile classroom at a primary school in the south of the Isle of Man to accommodate growing pupil numbers have been approved.

A portable cabin is to house two classrooms and toilet facilities at Ballasalla Primary School, replacing the existing community cabin units on the site.

The application replaces approval last year for a single classroom, to include a space for pupils who require a quiet breakout area away from the classroom environment.

Permission for a unit on the site was granted on a permanent basis.

In 2017 plans were approved for the reconstruction of the Clagh Vane Estate which replaced 41 homes with 52 houses.

In 2019 plans were approved and construction began on 282 new homes in the Reayrt Mie residential development.

The Department for Education, Sports and Culture, which submitted the application, said that given the rising number on roll and the specific needs of the school, a double classroom was deemed necessary rather than a single one.

The classroom was needed for September, and the school roll had increased steadily from 95 in 2019-20 to 167 in September 2024, with permanent capacity at the school of 131, the application said.

The planning officer who recommended its approval said the government seemed to be utilising mobile classrooms 'quite a lot', however 'we are where we are with funding'.

While it was 'not the preferred option' given the proposed use 'where more permanent solutions should be found rather than relying on temporary structures', the proposals were considered 'acceptable' in terms of use and visual impact, the planning officer said.

Planning Committee member Peter Whiteway said it was 'a shame' there was 'such a massive residential development in the area' with a school that was 'inadequate' for growth.

Despite the comments, the application was approved by the committee.