6 January 2020 · Delegated
Harbour Mews, Parliament Square, Castletown, Isle Of Man, IM9 1la
This application sought permission to convert an office building at Harbour Mews, off Parliament Square in Castletown, into a restaurant and a self-contained residential unit. The proposal amended a previously approved scheme and included three changes: limewashing the courtyard elevation, relocating an external door, and altering the hours of operation. The building sits in the centre of Castletown, immediately behind Derby House, the former Police Station, Ellan Vannin, Packet House, and 1 and 2 Quay Lane. It lies within a Conservation Area and is close to several Registered Buildings. The building had previously been approved for conversion to a dwelling, but that permission was not implemented. The main planning considerations were whether unrestricted opening hours would harm the living conditions of residents in adjacent properties, and whether the external alterations would affect the character of the Conservation Area and nearby Registered Buildings.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture approved the application on 6 January 2020. The key planning questions were whether removing restrictions on opening hours would harm nearby residents, and whether limewashing the courtyard elevation and relocating an external door would affect the Conservation Area or adjacent Registered Buildings. The application was permitted, with three conditions attached.
provision of adequate car parking
advice on the provision of adequate car parking
Transport Policy 7: The Department will require that in all new development, parking provision must be in accordance with the Department's current standards. The current standards are set out in Appendix 7. 11.5.4 New development can have a significant impact in terms of the traffic generated by it and the impact on the various modes of travel. The Department considers that proposals which are likely to be significant traffic generators should be accompanied by a Transport Assessment(1) which should look at all modes of transport including access by public transport, cycling and on foot.
Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area
Environment Policy 35: Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development. 7.30 Development adjacent to Conservation Areas 7.30.1 It is often the case that important views into and out of a Conservation Area can contribute significantly to its character. It is necessary to assess the impact any development adjacent to conservation areas may have on such views.
Condition 1
1. The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice. Reason: To comply with article 14 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No2) Order 2013 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.
Condition 2
2. The outdoor courtyard area may not be used for the consumption of food and drink after 2200hrs or before 0800hrs in any day. Reason: to safeguard the impact on the living conditions of those in adjacent dwellings.
Condition 3
3. Prior to the undertaking of the lime wash on the western elevation, a sample panel of 1m square should be so treated and must be approved by the Department before any other lime washing is undertaken and the remainder of the work undertaken in accordance with the approved sample panel and retained as such thereafter. Reason: to ensure that the works are appropriate for the Conservation Area in which the property sits. This decision relates to drawings 1, 2K, 3, 4, 5A and 6A all received on 4th November, 2019.
