Planning Officer Report

Case Officer: Mr S Moore Photo Taken: Site Visit: Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation

Officer's Report

The Application Site

1. The application site is the curtilage of Registered Building 172 Sulby Chapel, a large traditional chapel sited on the southern side of the A3 Rheynn Cullyn on the eastern side of the A14 junction.
2. The surrounding area is characterised by a mix of uses with a store to the west, Sulby Primary School to the east, a public house to the northwest and residential properties to the north and north eat of the application site.

The Proposal

1. This Registered Building consent seeks approval for the installation of two gates at the front path measuring just less than 1 metre high and just less than 1 metre wide an finished in wrought iron. The proposed gates are to replace and reinstate the existing design and dimension as already incorporated to the rear of the chapel.

Planning History

1. The application site has been the subject of a number of Conservation Grant Applications none of which are considered materially relevant to the assessment of this current planning application. The application site is currently subject to one Planning application that is considered materially relevant to the assessment of this current planning application:

PA 12/01342/GB: Installation of two gates (In association with 12/01343/GB).

Planning Policy

1. As the Sulby Chapel is a Registered Building (RB 172) located in Sulby, the content of this application has been considered with particular regard to RB/3: GENERAL CRITERIA APPLIED IN CONSIDERING REGISTERED BUILDING APPLICATIONS, POLICY RB/5 ALTERATIONS AND EXTENSIONS as set out within Planning Policy Statement

Application No.:	12/01343/CON
Applicant:	Sulby Methodist Church
Proposal:	Registered Building consent for general repair works and the installation of two gates (In association with 12/01342/GB) Registered Building Nos. 172
Site Address:	Sulby Chapel Main Road Sulby Isle Of Man IM7 2HP

1/01- Policy and Guidance Notes for the Conservation of the Historic Environment of the Isle of Man in tandem with Environment Policy 32 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007 (20th June 2007).

1. "Planning Policy Statement 1/01 RB/3: General Criteria Applied in Considering Registered Building Applications"

The issues that are generally relevant to the consideration of all registered building applications are:

• The importance of the building, its intrinsic architectural and historic interest and rarity, relative to the Island as a whole and within the local context;
• The particular physical features of the building (which may include its design, plan, materials or location) which justify its inclusion in the register; descriptions annexed to the entry in the register may draw attention to features of particular interest or value, but they are not exhaustive and other features of importance, (e.g. Interiors, murals, hidden fireplaces) may come to light after the building's entry in the register;
• The building's setting and its contribution to the local scene, which may be very important, e.g. Where it forms an element in a group, park, garden or other townscape or landscape, or where it shares particular architectural forms or details with other buildings nearby (including other registered buildings)."

"RB/5: Alterations and Extensions"

In considering whether to grant planning approval for development which affects a registered building or its setting and in considering whether to grant registered building consent for any works, the Department shall have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building or its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses.

Registered Building consent is required for the building's alteration in any way which would affect its special architectural or historic character. There will be a general presumption against alteration or extension of registered buildings, except where a convincing case can be made, against the criteria set out in this section, for such proposals.

Applicants for registered building consent for alteration or extension to a registered building must be able to justify their proposals. They will be required to show why the works which would affect the character of the registered building are desirable or necessary and they should provide full information to enable the Department to assess the likely impact of their proposals on the special architectural or historic interest of the building and on its setting. Where registered buildings are the subject of successive applications for alteration or extension, consideration will also be given to the cumulative affect upon the building's special interest as a result of several minor works which may individually seem of little consequence."

Environment Policy 32 states;

"Extensions or alterations to a Registered Building which would affect detrimentally its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest will not be permitted."

In considering any application for alterations or extension to a Registered Building and/or a building located within a conservation area, it is necessary to consider the character of the area and whether the application preserves or enhances the character of both the Registered Building and the Conservation Area within which it is located.

Representations

1. Lezayre Parish Commissioners have no objection to the current planning application.

Assessment

1. That proposed is the reinstatement of two new pedestrian gates, in mild steel in a pattern to match the existing wrought iron gate located to the rear of the church, one onto the A14, Sulby Glen Road, one onto the A3, Main Road.

1. The drawings are scant in their detail, save for the relatively large scale drawings of the actual gates. However, it is considered that there is sufficient to consider the application.

1. This application has come about in conjunction with discussion with the Assistant Conservation Officer. It is understood from those conversations with the applicants, that there were gates in these two locations that were removed some time ago, although it is not understood why.

1. Reinstatement of these two gates, in a pattern that is representative of the existing gate, is considered to enhance the character of the Registered Building and is therefore acceptable.

Planning Officers Supplementary Report:

1. The proposed reinstatement of two new gates at the two front entrances of Sulby Chapel are considered to be a relatively modest form of development and would not cause harm to the enjoyment to the Registered Building or the surrounding area. It is judged that the new proposed gates would be in keeping with the existing gate to the rear of Sulby Chapel and respect the surrounding landscape as well as the Registered Building in terms of design, form and appearance.

Recommendation

1. Permit.

Party Status

1. The local authority, Lezayre Parish Commissioners, is by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5)(d), considered "interested persons" and as such should be afforded party status.

Recommendation

Recommended Decision: Permitted

Date of Recommendation: 14.11.2012

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Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal

C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal

• : Notes attached to refusals

C 1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.

C 2. This approval for the installation of two gates relates to drawing detailing the Location Plan and 2 x A4 drawings detailing the proposed gate dimensions and materials, 1 x A4 Photograph detailing the existing wrought iron gate located at the rear of the church, and 6 x A4 Photographs detailing the two locations for the proposed installation of new gates all date stamped 3rd October 2012.

I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to Director of Planning and Building Control / Development Control Manager/ Senior Planning Officer.

Decision Made : Permitted Date : 19/11/12

Determining officer (delete as appropriate)

Signed : ... Anthony Holmes Senior Planning Officer

Signed : ... Michael Gallagher Director of Planning and Building Control

Signed : ... Sarah Corlett Senior Planning Officer

Signed : ... Jennifer Chance Development Control Manager