21 January 2013 · Delegated
Our Lady Star Of The Seas And St Maughold, Queens Promenade, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM8 1bh
This application sought Registered Building consent to erect a conservatory at Our Lady Star of the Seas and St Maughold church on Queens Promenade, Ramsey — a listed building within a Conservation Area. The application was linked to a separate planning application (12/01345/GB). Consent was refused on 21 January 2013 by the Development Control Manager under delegated authority. The decision found that the conservatory would neither preserve nor enhance the character of the Registered Building or the Conservation Area. The proposed use of uPVC materials was also identified as inappropriate and harmful to the building's character and appearance. The decision concluded that the development was not suitably justified and would have a significantly harmful impact on a building of considerable note.
Registered Building consent was refused. The conservatory was judged to fail to preserve or enhance the character of the listed building or the Conservation Area. The use of uPVC was found to be inappropriate and harmful to the building's appearance. Overall, the development was considered unjustified and likely to cause significant harm to a building of considerable note.
Refusal Reasons
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
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007
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
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.
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007
Environment Policy 32: 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. 7.27 Change of Use of Registered Buildings 7.27.1The best use for a Registered Building is usually the use for which the building was designed. However, it is recognised that it is often necessary to look for a new use to secure the economic future of the b uilding. It is important therefore that any new use is appropriate and that physical alterations are sensitive to its character. (1) Curtilage is defined in Appendix 1
In the maintenance, alteration or extension of pre-1921 buildings, the use of traditional materials will be preferred.
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007
Environment Policy 34: In the maintenance, alteration or extension of pre -1920 buildings, the use of traditional materials will be preferred. 7.29 Development within Conservation Areas 7.29.1 Conservation Areas are designated where the Department is satisfied that there is an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. Accordingly, the Department will; i. appraise and review existing Conservation Areas; and ii. designate new Conservation Areas where Conservation Area appraisals have revealed individual areas to be worthy of such status. 7.29.2 Development proposals within Conservation Areas will be expected either to preserve or enhance their character or appearanc e. Development proposals should be in accordance with the Department's conservation policies set out in Planning Policy Statement 1/01, "Policy and Guidance Notes for the Conservation of the Historic Environment of the Isle of Man." There is generally gra nt assistance available to help in the use of appropriate materials and positive and appropriate development within Conservation Areas.
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.
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007
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.
General criteria applied in considering Registered Building applications
Planning Policy Statement 1/01
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
Planning Policy Statement 1/01
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.
Special planning considerations
Planning Policy Statement 1/01
POLICY CA/2 SPECIAL PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS When considering proposals for the possible development of any land or buildings which fall within the conservation area, the impact of such proposals upon the special character of the area, will be a material consideration when assessing the application. Where a development is proposed for land which, although not within the boundaries of the conservation area, would affect its context or setting, or views into or out of the area; such issues should be given special consideration where the character or appearance of a conservation area may be affected.
Ecclesiastical buildings
Planning Policy Statement 1/01
POLICY RB/10 ECCLESIASTICAL BUILDINGS The same provisions apply for registered buildings which fall within this category, as apply elsewhere. Contrary to the situation which prevails elsewhere, no exemption exists with respect to ecclesiastical buildings in the Isle of Man. In considering applications for registered building consent for alteration or extension to buildings in this category, it is acknowledged that factors such as the size and requirements of modern congregations may differ considerably from when the church was originally constructed. Applicants considering carrying out alterations, extensions or improvements to ecclesiastical buildings which are registered, should consider the extent to which their proposals will affect the particular historic merit or architectural character of the building in question. An application is less likely to succeed if either of these qualities is markedly affected. It must also be remembered that in addition to the requirement for registered building consent, it will usually be necessary to obtain the formal consent of the appropriate church authority: early dialogue can often assist in deciding upon the most appropriate way to progress such works. FIXTURES AND CURTILAGE STRUCTURES The Registration of a building confers protection not only on the building, but extends to its full curtilage. Protection is also conferred on any object or structure fixed to the building, which is ancillary to the building. The word "fixed" is taken to have the same connotation as in the law of fixtures. The rule provides that any object or structure fixed to a building should be treated as part of it. It is a test, therefore, of fact in each individual case, as to whether a structure is free-standing or physically fixed to the building. Generally, it would be reasonable to expect some degree of physical annexation, together with indications that the annexation was carried out with the intention of making the object an integral part of the land or building. The principal tests as to whether an object or structure is within the curtilage of the Registered Building will relate to the physical layout of the land surrounding the Registered Building at the date of Registration and the relationship of any structures on the surrounding land to each other. Changes in ownership, occupation or use after the date of Registration will not bring about the de-Registration of a building which formed part of the principal building at the date of Registration. LEASEHOLD TENURE It is important that in creating a Leasehold Tenure of a Registered Building, particularly in the case of a fully or partially repairing Lease, notice of the building's Registered status should be passed from Landlord to Tenant, as the policies which apply to the Registered Building and its freehold estate, will generally be equally enforceable against the owner of a leasehold estate. (e.g. If a Leaseholder carries out unauthorised works which affect the special architectural character or historic interest of the building). FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Grant assistance for works which would be judged to be routine maintenance and repair, would not usually be available as a matter of course. However, works to protect the structural integrity of the building, or which protect the architectural and historic interest of the building, may well merit financial assistance under one of the prevailing financial assistance schemes operated by the Department. Financial assistance can help ease the burden of the requirement to use traditional craftsmanship and materials, or to reinstate on a "like for like" basis. Each case will be judged upon its individual merits. CONSERVATION AREAS The Town and Country Planning Act, 1999 provides that: (1) The Department shall determine which parts of the Island are areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance, and shall by order designate such areas as conservation areas. (2) Before making an order under subsecti on (1) the Department shall consult - every local authority in whose district the area in question, or any part of that area, falls.