19 November 2012 · Delegated
Sulby Chapel, Main Road, Sulby, Isle Of Man, IM7 2hp
The application covers the curtilage of Sulby Chapel (Registered Building 172), a large traditional chapel on the A3 in Sulby, Lezayre. The proposal was to install two wrought iron gates at the front path, each measuring just under 1 metre high and 1 metre wide, matching the design and dimensions of gates already in place at the rear of the chapel. The key planning issue was whether the works were appropriate to a registered building, assessed under policies RB/3 and RB/5 of the Isle of Man's Planning Policy Statement on the Historic Environment. Officers concluded that reinstating the gates in a pattern representative of the existing rear gates would enhance rather than harm the character of the registered building, and the application was approved by delegated decision.
The gates were considered acceptable because their design and dimensions replicate those already present at the rear of the chapel, meaning the reinstatement enhances the character of the Registered Building rather than harming it. The proposal was found to comply with the relevant registered building policies.
GENERAL CRITERIA APPLIED IN CONSIDERING REGISTERED BUILDING APPLICATIONS
The issues that are generally relevant to the consideration of all registered building applications
POLICY 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).
ALTERATIONS AND EXTENSIONS
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
POLICY 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.
Condition 1
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Condition 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.
