5 March 2026 · Delegated
Fairfield House, Main Road, St. Johns, Isle Of Man, IM4 3na
Permission was granted for a range of works at Fairfield House, Main Road, St Johns. The proposal included a replacement rear extension and rear store, a garden room, rooflights, solar panels, an air source heat pump, replacement of a garage door with a window, a seating area, access ramp, bin store, and replacement front windows and door. Fairfield House is a detached building of traditional Manx character, with a symmetrical façade, chimneys, and a pitched slate roof. It sits on the south side of the A1 Peel Road, directly opposite Tynwald Hill and its associated Registered Buildings and Ancient Monument. The property is bordered to the west by a residential property and to the south by a dwelling that was nearing completion at the time of the decision. The officer assessed the proposal against its effect on the character and appearance of the building and surrounding area, the setting of the nearby heritage assets, and the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers.
The application was permitted by delegated decision on 5 March 2026. The key planning considerations were the impact on the character of the host building and wider area, the setting of nearby Registered Buildings and an Ancient Monument opposite the site, and the living conditions of neighbouring residents. The proposal was found acceptable on all these grounds, subject to four conditions.
TYNWALD/P/1
Policy TYNWALD/P/1 of the St Johns Local Plan 1999
Strategic Policy 3
Strategic Policy 3 requires development to have regard to local character
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.
Strategic Policy 4(a)
Strategic Policy 4(a) required development to protect or enhance the fabric and setting of Ancient Monuments, Registered Buildings and Conservation Areas
Strategic Policy 5
Strategic Policy 5 states that new development should make a positive contribution to the environment
Strategic Policy 5: New development, including individual buildings, should be designed so as to make a positive contribution to the environment of the Island. In appropriate cases the Department will require planning applications to be supported by a Design Statement which will be required to take account of the Strategic Aim and Policies. 4.4 Economy 4.4.1 The Spatial Strategy identifies the Major Employment Areas around the Island. While the majority of business and employment is focused around the Douglas Metropolitan Area, there are other major employment areas at Castletown, the Airport/Freeport, Peel, Ramsey and Jurby. The Department considers the distribution of employment areas provides a spread of employment opportunities around the Island. While recognising the opportunities for small scale local employment within existing centres it is considered new employment should, in the main, be concentrated within existing settlements or those major employment areas referred to in the Island Spatial Strategy and illustrated on the Key Diagram. Existing Local and new Area Plans will provide detailed boundar ies for these areas. From time to time Government may judge it appropriate to offer financial incentives to encourage economic activity or investment in particular parts of the Island.
General Policy 2
General Policy 2 - Provides various criteria for development management purposes
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
Transport Policy 7
Transport Policy 7, together with Appendix 7, requires the provision of one parking space per 15sqm of net office floorspace
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 materials to be used in the construction and finishing of the development hereby approved shall be as described on Drawing Numbers 10-02 and 10-03 unless alternatives are first submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.
Condition 3
The Air Source Heat Pump to be installed upon the site shall be the Ecodan R32 model shown and described on the approved Information Sheet unless details of any alternative is first submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. Installation shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.
Condition 4
Should the current use of the building cease and it revert to a private dwellinghouse, the seating and display panels hereby approved on the frontage shall be removed and a parking space shall be reinstated to the satisfaction of the Highway Authority.
