25 July 2023 · Committee
Grand View, Dogmills, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM7 4ad
The proposal involved extending the existing single-storey flat-roof detached garage at Grand View, a detached dwelling on the east side of Bride Road. The application also required a modest enlargement of the residential curtilage beyond the red-line boundaries used in two earlier approved applications. The site lies in the countryside and within an Area of High Landscape or Coastal Value and Scenic Significance, meaning the curtilage extension required careful justification against General Policy 3. The officer assessed three main issues: the principle of extending the curtilage into countryside, the impact on character and streetscene, and effects on neighbouring amenities. The curtilage addition was judged small, sitting between the road and the house and confined to the area around the garage, so it was not considered to encroach meaningfully into the countryside. The flat-roof garage extension continues the form of the existing structure and remains screened by existing trees, so no streetscene harm was identified.
The Planning Committee approved the application as an exception to General Policy 3 because the extended curtilage is extremely small and directly related to the use of the house. The garage extension follows the existing flat-roof form, is shielded by trees, and causes no harm to the character of the area or to neighbouring amenities.
General Policy 3
The proposal is an exception to General Policy 3 given the extended residential curtilage is extremely small and reasonably affected by the usage of the house.
General Policy 3: Development will not be permitted outside of those areas which are zoned for development on the appropriate Area Plan with the exception of: (a) essential housing for agricultural workers who have to live close to their place of work; (Housing Policies 7, 8, 9 and 10); (b) conversion of redundant rural buildings which are of architectural, historic, or social value and interest; (Housing Policy 11); (c) previously developed land (1) which contains a significant amount of building; where the continued use is redundant; where redevelopment would reduce the impact of the current situation on the landscape or the wider environment; and where the development proposed would result in improvements to the landscape or wider environment; (d) the replacement of existing rural dwellings; (Housing Policies 12, 13 and 14); (e) location-dependent development in connection with the working of minerals or the provision of necessary services; (f) building and engineering operations which are essential for the conduct of agriculture or forestry; (g) development recognised to be of overriding national need in land use planning terms and for which there is no reasonable and acceptable alternative; and (h) buildings or works required for interpretation of the countryside, its wildlife or heritage. 6.4 Planning Agreements 6.4.1 Where development is acceptable and in accordance with the provisions of this Plan and the relevant Area Plan, but raises issues which cannot be addressed by the imposition of planning conditions, the Department will seek to conclude an Agreement with the developer under Section 13 of the 1999 Town and Country Planning Act.
Strategic Policy 3
The Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016 contains the following policies that are considered materially relevant
Strategic Policy 3: Proposals for development must ensure that the individual character of our towns and villages is protected or enhanced by: (a) avoiding coalescence and maintaining adequate physical separation between settlements; and (b) having regard in the design of new development to th e use of local materials and character. 4.3.4 Most of our built heritage, our countryside, our coastline and our natural environment is of attraction, value and interest. Surveys commissioned by Government on the quality of life and the importance of heritage in the Isle of Man and internationally, have consistently shown that the historic landscape setting of the Isle of Man scores as t he single most significant factor for residents and visitors in supporting the concept of a specific and positive Manx identity. This "heritage identity" is a result of the combination of a rich diversity of historic sites and monuments, historic building s and residential settlements and a specific range of natural history attributes set within a predominantly rural landscape setting which links modern life to a sense of historic legacy and beauty, the retention of which is strongly supported by Government and the resident community. 4.3.5 The landscapes of the Island are very varied, and their nature and variety is the consequence of thousands of years of interaction between the natural and cultural aspects of the Island through human activity within the enviro nment and an innate respect for the natural and historic qualities they represent. 4.3.6 This landscape heritage is more than simply the sum of its parts. The combination of geology, geomorphology, wildlife, archaeology, history, traditional buildings and the natural settings for traditional activities and customs, combine in the rural and built environment to provide an inseparable element of "Manxness". It provides an overarching context which makes the landscapes of the Isle of Man unique and gives them the value which is acknowledged by those who live here and those who visit. The protection and promotion of this element within Manx society is an important element in central Government policy and the Strategic Plan, which both support the view that these v alued characteristics of the Isle of Man be acknowledged and protected for the future from inappropriate development. 4.3.7 This protection will apply to areas of heritage value, to sites of heritage value and to general traditional landscape settings within the Island which are deemed to contribute to the sense of the Island's heritage identity. Heritage landscape value will therefore be a consideration in all aspects of planning, with a view to retaining and enhancing this value wherever possible.
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Condition 2
The garage hereby approved shall only be used in association with the main dwelling house "Grand View" and for purposes incidental to the use of main dwelling house "Grand View" as a single dwelling for no commercial purposes and only in accordance with the internal layout shown on plan D/7831/10 received on the 28.04.2023.
Erection of garage extension and erection of a sun room and first floor dormer extension to dwelling
This is the current garage.
Alterations and creation of a dormer to dwelling house
Both this 09 application and the 16 application has a redline boundary smaller than the current application.