6 January 2020 · Delegated
Woodcroft, New Road, Laxey, Isle Of Man, IM4 7hs
This application sought permission to create a parking area within part of the front garden of Woodcroft, a semi-detached dwelling on New Road, Laxey. The property is characterised by yellow brick with red brick details, bay windows, a front garden, and yellow brick boundary walling. The application was refused by a Principal Planner acting under delegated authority. Two distinct planning concerns were identified: the impact on the character and appearance of the building and its surroundings, and highway safety. On character grounds, the proposal was found to unacceptably harm the existing building and the wider setting. On highway safety grounds, the proposed space would offer insufficient visibility for drivers pulling out, and would be too narrow to comfortably fit a standard modern vehicle.
The application was refused on two grounds. First, the proposed parking area would unacceptably harm the character of the existing building and its surroundings. Second, the parking space would present a highway safety risk due to insufficient visibility for drivers emerging from it and because the space would be too narrow to accommodate a typical modern car.
Refusal Reasons
General Policy 2 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016
The proposal would unacceptably harm the characteristics of the existing building and the character of its surroundings which is against policies GP2, EP36
General Policy 2: Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development: (a) is in accordance with the design brief in the Area Plan where there is such a brief; (b) respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them; (c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape; (d) does not adversely affect the protected wildlife or locally important habitats on the site or adjacent land, including water courses; (e) does not affect adversely public views of the sea; (f) incorporates where possible existing topography and landscape features, particularly trees and sod banks; (g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality; (h) provides satisfactory amenity standards in itself, including where appropriate safe and convenient access for all highway users, together with adequate parking, servicing and manoeuvring space; (i) does not have an unacceptable effect on road safety or traffic flows on the local highways; (j) can be provided with all necessary services; (k) does not prejudice the use or development of adjoining land in accordance with the appropriate Area Plan; (l) is not on contaminated land or subject to unreasonable risk of erosion or flooding; (m) takes account of community and personal safety and security in the design of buildings and the spaces around them; and (n) is designed having due regard to best practice in reducing energy consumption. 6.3 Development outside of areas zoned for development
Environment Policy 36
The proposal would unacceptably harm the characteristics of the existing building and the character of its surroundings which is against policies GP2, EP36
Environment Policy 36: Where development is proposed outside of, but close to, the boundary of a Conservation Area, this will only be permitted where it will not detrimentally affect important views into and out of the Conservation Area. 7.31 Advertisements in Conservation Areas 7.31.1 Some advertisements found and proposed in Conservation Areas are inappropriate and do not reflect the special character and designation of the area. The design of advertisements should respect the physical appearance of the premises in order to integrate re adily with its surroundings. Traditional details, hanging signs and hand painted signage are most appropriate and will be encouraged.
L/RES/PR/14
The Laxey and Lonan Local Plan 2005 has a policies which is relevant to this assessment, specifically L/RES/PR/14 and L/TP/PR/1.
L/TP/PR/1
The Laxey and Lonan Local Plan 2005 has a policies which is relevant to this assessment, specifically L/RES/PR/14 and L/TP/PR/1.
