26 April 2016 · Committee
Crofton, Pooilvaaish Road, Castletown, Isle Of Man, IM9 4pj
The application sought permission to erect a replacement detached dwelling at a property set some 60 metres from the highway in its own grounds in the Malew countryside. The existing dwelling had fallen into disrepair and included an existing flat-roofed rear annex considered visually poor. The key planning issue was whether the replacement respected the proportion, form, and appearance of the original under Housing Policy 15, which normally limits extensions or alterations to no more than 50% of existing floor area. The proposed replacement exceeded that 50% threshold, requiring the committee to be satisfied that an exception was justified. This revised scheme removed that feature, reduced the expanse of glazing, and proposed to demolish the flat-roofed rear annex, significantly improving the rear elevation visible from the highway. The committee found the design well-considered, with traditional elements alongside a contemporary side element, and concluded that the overall balance of improvements justified approval.
The committee approved the scheme because the removal of the unsightly flat-roofed rear annex represented a significant visual improvement, and the revised design addressed the specific reason for the previous refusal by removing the large glazed gable window. No residents objected to this revised scheme on glazing grounds, and the committee was satisfied that the design's mix of traditional and contemporary elements was acceptable in the countryside context. A condition was added removing permitted development rights for further extensions, reflecting the committee's view that the site's development should remain controlled.
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Condition 2
Prior to the occupation of the dwelling the car parking and manoeuvring areas shall be provided and remain free from obstruction thereafter.
Condition 3
For the avoidance of doubt, all those windows shown with a transom (which is 21 no. in total) on Drawing number 1A (dated as having been received 18th March 2016) shall be vertical sliding sashes and retained as such thereafter.
Condition 4
Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development) Order 2012 (or any Order revoking and/or re-enacting that Order with or without modification), no garages shall be erected within the curtilage of the dwelling hereby approved other than that expressly authorised by this approval without the prior written approval of the Department.
Condition 5
Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development) Order 2012 (or any Order revoking and/or re-enacting that Order with or without modification) no extension, enlargement or other alteration of the dwelling(s) hereby approved, other than that expressly authorised by this approval, shall be carried out, without the prior written approval of the Department.