23 September 2011 · Delegated
7, Victoria Road, Castletown, Isle Of Man, IM9 1ep
Permission was granted for an extension to a dwelling and the installation of replacement and additional windows at 7 Victoria Road, Castletown. The property is a three-storey end-of-terrace Victorian house situated at the junction of Victoria Road and Alexandra Road, with its rear facing the Silver Burn River. The main planning issues assessed were the potential impact on neighbouring properties, the effect on the character of the Conservation Area, and any impact on the Silver Burn. During a site visit, the officer noted that two other dwellings in the same terrace already have rear balconies projecting from the buildings. The application was decided under delegated authority and permitted on 23 September 2011, with four conditions attached.
The application was permitted by the Development Control Manager under delegated authority. The key planning issues considered were the impact on neighbouring properties, the effect on the Conservation Area, and any impact on the Silver Burn River. The proposal was found acceptable in light of these considerations.
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
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 7
development will not normally be allowed within 8 metres of any watercourse
• Mount Murray Golf Club • Onchan Park • West Baldwin Reservoir Car Park • Clypse Kerrowdhoo Reservoir Car Park • Conrhenny Car Park • Ballanette Nature Reserve • Axnfell Plantation Natural Environment Proposal 7 Proposals for development in the vicinity of Dark Sky Discovery Sites are to have minimal outdoor lighting and be encouraged to have a design response which is non-intrusive into the darkness of night. Baffling and directionality of lighting must be sensitive to contain any necessary lighting within a subject site only. Watercourses and Wetlands The collection of hills in the East has produced a network of mountain streams which gradually join and widen to become the rivers flowing out into Douglas Bay, Port Groudle and Laxey Bay. Several of these rivers fro m the natural boundaries between the Eastern Parishes. A non-exhaustive list of streams and rivers in the East includes: Crammag River Injebreck River Creg-y-Cowin River West Baldwin River Awin Ny Darragh Baldwin River River Glass Greeba River River Dhoo Santon Burn Crogga River Middle River Laxey River Glenroy River Groudle River Ballacottier River River Douglas It is likely that these streams and rivers, similar to most of the Island's watercourses, support populations of European Eels - classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as Critically Endangered - and Brown Trout. Most rivers with good fish passage from the sea, including the Dhoo, Glass, Laxey and Santon Burn, contain populations of salmon and sea trout. The Dhoo and Glass are known also to support populations of brook (and possibly river) lamprey. Many of the tributary streams to the major rivers, although small, provide valuable additional spawning and nursery areas for salmonids and lampreys. There are four reservoirs in the East: Eairy Dam, Injebreck, Clypse and Kerrowdhoo. The proposals in this plan for additional housing in the East are likely to have an impact on the water levels in these reservoirs and consequently on the compensation flows within the downstream rivers. DEFA reports that i n recent years there has been evidence of low summer flow below Injebreck reservoir in the River Glass. It is suggested that any reduction in flow in the River Glass could have consequences for the ecology of the river, including fish populations. DEFA has highlighted evidence that artificial light from new housing close to rivers may have a detrimental impact on migratory salmonids. The reservoirs in the East are home to wild brown trout and Injebreck, Clypse and Kerrowdhoo are stocked with rainbow trout for visiting anglers. This Plan recognises that the economic value of the recreational fishing industry depends both on healthy fish stocks and high recreation and visual amenity. The ecological services provided by the Island's watercourses and wetlands are considerable, including carbon storage and natural flood mitigation. An undeveloped corridor of land between the river bank (measured from the edge of th e river channel) and any riverside development is required to allow for natural changes in the position of the river channel, as well as in water levels . The natural vegetation and physical structure of a river bank also provides a wildlife corridor for non-aquatic species. Natural Environment Proposal 8 Proposals for new development in the Plan Area which intend a connection to the Injebreck Reservoir for its water supply must demonstrate that as a consequence of this new development, water levels will n ot be so affected as to have a detrimental effect on normal flows. Natural Environment Recommendation 2 It is recommended that ahead of making any applications for development close to the reservoirs, watercourses and wetlands in the East, applicants must discuss such proposals with DEFA to establish the need for specific design elements to be taken into account . This may include : the impact of artificial light from the development on migratory fish species, buffer distances from the river bank and visual amenity. Marine Protected Areas and Marine Conservation Zones Increased efforts are being made to protect the health and biodiversity of the marine environment as well as the economic and social benefits which effective management of marine resources brings. Marine protected areas are areas of the sea that are protected from fishing and other impacts, with the aim of restoring habitats and supporting sustainable fisheries. The Isle of Man currently has ten Marine Protected Areas around our coast, encompassing 10.4% of Manx waters. One of these is the Sea Fisheries Restricted Area at Laxey Bay which was established in 2009 with the intention of enh ancing the scallop stock and later seeded with juvenile scallops. In 2008 , Douglas Bay closed to mobile fishing gear. Its current status is as a Marine Conservation Zone, though there is an intention to designate the Bay as a Marine Nature Reserve. Marine Nature Reserves are designated to conserve their flora,
Environment Policy 35
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.
Alteration and Replacement of Windows
Category b) BUILDINGS IN CONSERVATION AREAS
Condition 1
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Condition 2
This approval relates to the erection of an extension to dwelling and installation of replacement and additional windows; as shown in the 1:1250 Location Plan, the 1:500 Site Plan, sheet 1 of 3 and sheet 2 of 3, all sate stamped 19 August 2011.
Condition 3
Notwithstanding the details on the approved drawings, the windows shall be sliding sash as proposed on the application form.
Condition 4
Prior to the commencement of construction works, a full method statement for measures to protect the nearby watercourse must be submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority.
